ONEONTA, N.Y. – A total of four Hawks from the Hartwick women's volleyball team have been selected for Empire 8 All-Conference honors for their standout performances this season, as voted on by the conference coaches.
Senior Braelyn Hornick (Candor, NY) would receive her third consecutive First Team All-Conference selection for her contributions to the team as a setter. This season, Hornick has been an integral part of the Hawks' attacking formation, leading the Hawks with 745 assists to bring her career total to 2,797 and climbing with an Empire 8 Championship finals match still to come. Hornick also tallied 49 kills and 30 aces this season. On the defense, she proved her adaptability by collecting 177 digs and 20 total blocks.
Beside Hornick on the All-Conference First Team is fellow senior Shelby Swartz (Candor, N.Y.). This is Swartz's first time earning All-Conference First Team honors, having been previously named to the Second Team last year and the Third Team in her sophomore season. Swartz led the team in kills this year, totaling 348 while also managing 31 assists and 52 blocks. She also ranked second on the team with a total of 283 defensive digs.
Sophomore standout Lucille Walker (Ithaca, N.Y.) would also come into her own this year to earn Second Team honors. She would explode on the offense for 272 kills and snagged 14 assists. Walker was also unshakeable at the net, ranking second on the team with 69 total blocks to stifle crucial scoring attempts from the opposition. This will be Walker's first ever All-Conference recognition.
Rounding out the Hawks' All-Conference selections would be junior middle hitter Isabella Gracias (Oneonta, N.Y.), who earned Third Team recognition for the first time in her career. Gracias held down the defense with 75 crucial blocks and 30 digs. She would also prove her power on the offensive drive, ranking second on the team in kills with a total of 282.
In addition to the All-Conference selections, the Empire 8 has also named senior Mary Kinnane (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) as Hartwick's representative for the Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team, an honor given to those who have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits of an outstanding sportswoman.
About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.
