NEW PALTZ, NY – The State University of New York New Paltz women's volleyball team wrapped up the Hawk Invitational Saturday with matches against Colby-Sawyer College and Springfield College, splitting the day after opening with a four-set victory over the Chargers.
SUNY New Paltz controlled much of its opening match, defeating Colby-Sawyer, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20 and 25-16. The Hawks held a 48-34 advantage in kills while producing 16 service aces and nine total blocks in the victory.
The Hawks established themselves early in the opening set, breaking away from a 5-5 tie with a five-point run highlighted by a pair of aces from Genevieve Boyle. Colby-Sawyer worked its way back within two at 16-14, but SUNY New Paltz responded to maintain control. Christine Balbona helped close out the frame with a kill before the Hawks secured the 25-19 opening-set victory.
Colby-Sawyer responded in a tightly contested second set. Neither side was able to create much separation as the teams battled through the frame, with SUNY New Paltz holding a late 22-21 advantage. The Chargers answered by scoring four of the final five points to steal the set, 25-23, and even the match at one apiece.
SUNY New Paltz regained control in the third as both teams fought for momentum. After the Chargers pulled within one at 18-17, the Hawks created the separation they needed down the stretch. Regan Moeykens helped lead the attack from the outside as SUNY New Paltz closed out a 25-20 victory to move one set away from the win.
The Hawks left little doubt in the fourth, SUNY New Paltz jumped ahead early and continued to build on its advantage behind an aggressive effort from the service line and at the net. The hosts fired on all cylinders, pulling away with a 25-16 victory to clinch the triumph.
Boyle and Moeykens paced the Hawks offensively with 10 kills apiece, while Lexi Stragalas followed with eight. Balbona added seven kills while leading the team with five total blocks. Kim Braun and Elena Savage each dished out 18 assists, while Jordyn Lewis anchored the defensive effort with a match-high 29 digs. Boyle and Lewis each recorded four service aces, with Braun adding three as SUNY New Paltz totaled 16 on the afternoon.
SUNY New Paltz returned to the floor later in the afternoon to close out the Hawk Invitational against unbeaten Springfield College. The Pride established control early and maintained their advantage throughout, defeating the Hawks in straight sets, 25-11, 25-14 and 25-17.
Springfield came out firing in the opening frame, recording 15 kills on a .387 hitting percentage while limiting the Hawks to five kills. SUNY New Paltz attempted to find its footing, but the Pride maintained control to take the first set, 25-11.
The Hawks looked to respond in the second, but Springfield continued its efficient offensive performance. SUNY New Paltz registered eight kills in the frame, its highest total of the match, but the Pride created separation and eventually secured a 25-14 victory to move within one set of the sweep.
Coach Giufre's squad put together its strongest push of the match in the third with the Hawks battling to keep themselves within striking distance. However, Springfield held off the effort and closed out the afternoon with a 25-17 third-set victory.
Genevieve Boyle led SUNY New Paltz offensively with seven kills, while Lola Konopa and Lexi Stragalas each added four. Konopa finished with a .364 hitting percentage on 11 attempts. Kim Braun totaled eight assists, Elena Savage added five assists and the Hawks' lone service ace, while Jordyn Lewis led the defensive effort with eight digs. Stragalas registered SUNY New Paltz's lone block in the bout after the Hawks enjoyed a dominant weekend at the net.
The women's volleyball team finished the Hawk Invitational with a split Saturday, earning a four-set victory over Colby-Sawyer before falling to unbeaten Springfield in the tournament finale.
******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.
