UTICA, NY – In the first Empire 8 clash of the season for either team, Hartwick volleyball put Utica away, 3-1, in large part to Maria Sorriento's (Troy, NY/Troy) season-high tally on Wednesday evening inside of the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center. The freshman's 22 kills were the most of any Hawk this season propelling 'Wick to 6-7 on the season while Utica falls to 3-9.
 
Utica got the better of Hartwick to start the evening winning seven of the opening set's first eight points. It was not until late in the set, HC put two four-point runs together. Unfortunately, it would come too late as the Pioneers already secured a convincing lead to take the set, 25-19.
 
The second set mirrored the first but with Hartwick crediting the 25-19 set win. The Hawks evened the playing field to the credit of an early 5-0 run capped by a kill from Erin Russell (Wantagh, NY/Seaford) on the helper from Katie Boak (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool), 6-2. Both teams would trade the set's next four points before the Hawks went up by as many as five, a deficit Utica would be unable to combat for the duration of the set. Russell ended with four kills also accompanied by a game-high 27 assists.  
 
Several UC miscues helped 'Wick to an early 8-2 lead in the third. Relentless, the Hawks kept their pressure up disallowing the Pioneers from reaching double digits until late. A kill from UC's Monique Fletcher awarded her team their 10^th point but not before Hartwick already claimed a double digit lead. The Hawks would win five of the set's final seven points for the 25-12 set victory and the 2-1 lead.
 
The third set opened a bit more competitive with both teams alternating points. However, Hartwick quickly caught fire winning 10 of the next 11 points, 12-3. Unable to recover, Utica fell behind by its largest deficit all contest while succumbing to the 25-12 set loss and 3-1 match final.
 
Along with Sorriento's kills career tally, she registered a game-high six aces and one block. Ashley Werner (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) (16), Kaitlyn Ludder (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Park) (15), Boak (12) added digs on the defensive end.
 
Hartwick's conference stretch continues with an Empire 8 crossover hosted by Elmira which will also feature Nazareth. The Soaring Eagles host the Hawks, Saturday, September 23 at 11 a.m. before Nazareth faces HC at 1:30 p.m.