ONEONTA, NY - Hartwick College's volleyball team lost its first two matches of the Empire 8 Conference Volleyball Weekend held at Lambros Arena. 'Wick lost its first match in three sets to RIT, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20, and lost its second match to Elmira in three, 25-20, 25-15, 25-20. The Hawks are now 3-11 overall.

In the opener, Victoria Petko and Katie Cooper combined for 22 kills to lead the Tigers to the victory. Christina Worth added 29 assists.

For the Hawks, Sophomore Courtney Desmond (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) recorded 11 kills and hit .429 in the match in a losing effort. Shannon McGee (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) added 11 assists and Darcy Dolge (LaGrande, OR/LaGrande) contributed 10. Tori Beck (Quakertown, PA/Quakertown) led the Hawks defensively with 10 digs.

Desmond was impressive once again in 'Wick's second match against the Soaring Eagles. She hit .450 and notched a team-best 11 kills, but it wasn't enough as Sasha Zavadska registered a double-double with 14 kills 20 digs, and Brittany Raykoskie added 10 kills to lead the visitors to the win. Tesia Kaczynski also secured a match-high 38 assists for the Purple and Gold.

To go along with Desmond's 11 kills, Beck contributed 13 digs and Dolge added five kills, eight assists, three blocks, and three digs.

Hartwick is back in action tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Lambros Arena against Alfred as the team searches for its first conference triumph of the season. 'Wick closes out the weekend later in the evening against Stevens at 5 p.m.