ALFRED, NY – The Hartwick women's volleyball team endured a couple of five-set matches against Houghton and Alfred in just their second Empire 8 crossover of the season moving to 10-9, 4-2 E8. With the loss, the Highlanders fall to 9-11, 2-3 E8 while the Saxons climb to 5-15, 3-3 E8.
 
In the first match to head for a tiebreaker set, the Hawks claimed the first and second set victories, 25-12 and 25-16, respectively. The Highlanders took the third set by a score of 25-18 and the fourth, 25-13. The Hawks would claim the deciding set, 15-9.
 
In the win, Maria Sorriento (Troy, NY/Troy) reached double-figure kills for the Hawks with 18. Erin Russell (Wantagh, NY/Seaford) helped for 30 assists while Ashley Werner (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) (15), Sorriento (13) and Jamie Reidy (Elmira, NY/Horseheads) (13) led the team in digs.
 
Hartwick topped the host in its opening set, 25-16 and would go on to trade outcomes of the next three sets. Alfred took the second, 26-24, but fell in the third set, 25-23. The Highlanders topped 'Wick in the fourth set, 25-15 and in the final set, 15-11.
 
Versus Alfred, Rosa Maun (Redstone, CO/Roaring Fork) (18), Sorriento (15) and Kaitlyn Ludder (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Park) (9) led the Hawks in kills. Russell put up 37 assists while Katie Boak (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) (19), Reidy (17) and Russell (16) added digs to the 'Wick defense.
 
The Hawks return to Lambros Arena this Wednesday, October 11 when they host SUNY Poly at 7 p.m.