CANTON, NY- The Hartwick women's volleyball team began its 2011 season on the road on Friday night at the North Country Classic hosted by St. Lawrence.

The Hawks dropped the first match to the Saints 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 11-25, 16-25). Junior Shannon McGee (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) led the team with 20 assists. Junior Brianna Eckert (Rochester, NY/Greece Arcadia) led in digs with 10.

Sophomores Mickey Coons (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall) and Christina Vitale (Port Jefferson Station, NY/St. John the Baptist) both contributed eight digs while senior Courtney Desmond (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) had four blocks.

Anna Kassab had a double-double for St. Lawrence with 41 assists and 10 digs. Nyasha Miller led the team in digs with 21.

Hartwick lost the second match to SUNY Potsdam 3-0 (19-25, 17-25, 22-25). McGee had 20 assists and seven digs. Eckert again led in digs with 17.

'Wick resumes play tomorrow with a 11 a.m. match against Clarkson on the Golden Knights home court followed by 1 p.m. match with Neumann.