VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team opened play at the Marlin Invitational Friday, dropping a pair of four-set matches against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and William Peace University.
The Hawks opened the day against UW-La Crosse, taking the first set before the Eagles responded to earn a 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-13 victory.
SUNY New Paltz came out strong in the opening frame, battling through a tightly contested set before creating separation midway through.
With the score tied at four, the Hawks used a 3-0 run highlighted by back-to-back service aces from Elena Savage to take an early 7-4 advantage. Neither team could gain much separation from there, as UW-La Crosse battled back and the two sides traded points throughout the set.
SUNY New Paltz ultimately found the late push it needed, breaking away from a 21-21 tie to claim four of the final five points and take the opening set, 25-22.
UW-La Crosse responded in the second, establishing an early advantage before the Hawks worked their way back into the frame. SUNY New Paltz totaled 12 kills in the set, its highest mark of the match, but the Eagles capitalized on Hawk errors to even the match with a 25-17 win.
The Eagles carried the momentum into the third. SUNY New Paltz remained within striking distance but couldn't overcome the deficit as UW-La Crosse pulled ahead two sets to one following a 25-19 victory.
UW-La Crosse then put together its strongest offensive performance in the fourth, hitting .412 with 18 kills to close out the match, 25-13.
Lola Konopa paced the Hawks offensively with nine kills while adding three total blocks. Nora Keating and Genevieve Boyle each chipped in seven kills, while Maria Weigand finished with six. Jordyn Lewis anchored the defense with 26 digs, while Kim Braun totaled 17 assists, seven digs and two service aces.
SUNY New Paltz returned to the court later Friday against William Peace, with the Pacers earning a 25-22, 25-21, 19-25, 25-17 victory.
The opening set remained tight throughout, with neither side able to establish much separation. William Peace eventually created enough room late to secure the 25-22 win before carrying the momentum into the second for a 25-21 victory and a two-set advantage.
Facing a potential sweep, the Hawks answered in the third. SUNY New Paltz put together its best offensive set of the match, totaling 10 kills while holding William Peace to a .000 hitting percentage. The Hawks created separation and maintained their advantage to take the third, 25-19, extending the match.
William Peace responded in the fourth, however, hitting .300 with 14 kills to pull away for a 25-17 win and close out the match in four sets.
Keating led the SUNY New Paltz attack with 10 kills, while Boyle added seven kills and 13 digs. Lexi Stragalas chipped in five kills and three total blocks.
Lewis turned in another strong defensive effort with 17 digs while creating problems from the service line with a match-high six aces. Tess Egan totaled five blocks, while Braun and Savage directed the offense with 19 and 11 assists, respectively.
SUNY New Paltz finished with 11 service aces and seven blocks against the Pacers.
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