ROCHESTER, NY - The Hartwick volleyball team opened up conference play at the Empire 8 Crossover hosted by RIT in Rochester, NY on Saturday. The Hawks dropped their opening match to Elmira in four sets, 22-25, 16-25, 25-23, 11-25, and lost in three sets to Nazareth 20-25, 24-26, 27-29.
Against the Soaring Eagles, the Hawks fell behind two sets to zero before battling back with a strong effort in the third set. The Purple and Gold, however, closed out the win in the fourth set to claim their seventh victory of the year.
Junior Lauren Mausert (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) led the Hartwick offense with seven kills. She added 11 digs and a pair of service aces. Mickey Coons (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall) had the team-high in digs with 13 and freshman Britney Lintner (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) notched 15 assists. Junior Courtney Desmond (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) contributed six kills and three blocks in the match.
Sasha Zavadska led Elmira with 20 kills and 10 digs. Brittany Raykoske (14), Taryn Rumsey (11), and Chelsea Needham (10) each were in double figures for kills and Tesia Kaczynski dished out 48 assists.
The Hawks gave the Golden Flyers everything they could handle in the second match of the day. After taking the first set by five points, Naz edged out 'Wick by two in each of the next two sets 26-24, 29-27 for the win.
Mausert and Desmond each had eight kills for Hartwick. Shannon McGee (Cortland Manor, NY/Walter Panas) registered 20 assists and Coons, Christina Vitale (Port Jefferson Station, NY/St. John the Baptist), and Kelly Sprengel (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill) combined for 29 digs. The Hawks blocked well with nine in the match. Desmond, Rebecca Donahoe (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac), and Lauren Heiman (Dansville, NY/Wayland Cohocton) each picked up four assisted blocks for the Blue and White.
Naz was led by Carra Vanderstyne's 10 kills. Kristi Custer added nine kills and Brittany Crocetti contributed 31 assists.
Hartwick (3-11) opposes Stevens and Utica to close out the first of two conference weekends. Ithaca hosts the second round from Oct. 22-24.
