ONEONTA, NY – Behind the strong hitting performances of Colette Maloney (Williston Park, NY/Mineola) and Maria Sorriento (Troy, NY/Troy), the Hartwick volleyball team won their first Empire 8 match of the season over Alfred, 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-21). With the win, the Hawks' extend their best start in program history through 15 matches, with a 10-5 record (1-1 E8). Alfred drops to 6-12, 0-1 E8.
Trailing 5-3, the Hawks went on a 6-0 run to take a 9-5 lead in set one. Kaitlyn Ludder (West Sand Lake, NY/Averill Park) started the stretch with a kill and had two aces throughout, while Sorriento had the sixth point on a kill, assisted by Kayley Ericson (Franklin, CT/Norwich Free Academy). 'Wick maintained their lead; after the Saxons closed to 17-14, they hit right back with a 3-0 run to go up 20-14, featuring two Katie Boak (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) aces. Alfred staved off three set points down 24-18, but Maloney ended the first set on a kill for the 25-21 win.
Hartwick again grew a lead early on in game two, eventually leading 11-6 after a Maloney kill and forcing an Alfred timeout. The Saxons would close within two at 14-12 and 15-13, and eventually made it a one-point game at 18-17 and 19-18. 'Wick took control from there however, registering five straight points to take a 24-18 lead for the second straight set. Sorriento ended the set this time, driving one to the floor and Alfred to the brink.
Early on in set three, it looked as if the visitors might force a fourth set, taking a 7-4 lead and causing Hartwick coach Jim Clar to call a timeout. The Hawks regrouped from there, winning five of six points to take a 9-8 lead. After some more lead changes, the teams found themselves tied at 16-all, where they traded points until it was 20-20. From there, two Maloney kills, an Ericson block, and an Ericson kill gave 'Wick four match points. Alfred got a temporary reprieve after a Hartwick attack error, but Maloney slammed the door shut with one more kill for the sweep.
Maloney entered the program's all-time single-match top ten with 23 kills, doing so on just 43 attempts for a .465 attack percentage. She also contributed with eight digs and a service ace. Sorriento registered her highest kill total since the season-opening win at Plattsburgh State, with 14 (on a .346 attack percentage). Ericson had 44 assists and seven digs, as well as two kills and an ace. Boak led all players with 17 digs and also had three aces, one behind Ludder's four for the match-high.
Amber Smith led Alfred with 13 kills on 29 attempts, a .448 attack percentage, and also registered eight digs. Darian Ortiz led her side with 14 digs, and Lainey Arneson had the match-high with three blocks. Sarah Baty led the Saxons with nine assists, and Amanda Burns was not far behind with seven helpers to go with her six digs.
'Wick is right back at it tomorrow, taking on Houghton at 2 p.m. in Lambros Arena.
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