ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick volleyball team kept it rolling on Tuesday night, welcoming the Keystone Giants to Lambros Arena and promptly sweeping them out of the building in three sets (25-14, 25-12, 25-11). The Hawks are now 10-2 on the year, their best ever start through 12 matches, while the Giants drop to 1-11.
After a few Hartwick mistakes to begin the match, they found themselves trailing 6-5 early on in set one. They rectified that quickly, winning seven of the next eight points for a 12-7 lead. Keystone would narrow the gap to 13-11, but from there the Hawks really took control, winning 12 of the next 15 points including back-to-back Kaileigh Brandow (Manorville, NY/Eastport South Manor) kills to finish off the set.
The second set started similarly, with Keystone finding themselves up 4-3 early. This time, 'Wick was even more dominant: they won seven of the next eight points, dropped a pair, and then picked up eight consecutive points (including three Toria Betelak (North Syracuse, NY/Liverpool) service aces) to grab an 18-7 lead. That lead proved insurmountable for the visitors.
After three Keystone points to set off the third stanza, 'Wick once again grabbed control. They picked up four straight points, gave the Giants a one-rally reprieve, then snagged eight more in a row for a 12-4 lead. It was all over but the crying at that point, as a Dell Potts (Niverville, NY/Ichabod Crane) kill eventually finished off the match for good.
Hornick led all comers with 21 assists and five aces (the latter a career high). Kayley Ericson (Franklin, CT/Norwich Free Academy) did the remainder of the setting, with 14 assists to go with seven digs. Kiera Walsh (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) led all with a season-high 10 digs, also picking up eight kills. Brandow had the match high in kills at nine, pitching in eight digs to boot.
The Hawks take a well-deserved rest this weekend and get back to it on Tuesday, October 5, when they host SUNY Delhi at 6 p.m.
Make sure to catch the latest news on all your favorite Hartwick Hawks teams by following @HawkTalk on Twitter, @hartwickhawks on Instagram, and by liking 'Hartwick Hawks' on Facebook.
