ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Hartwick women's volleyball program is Empire 8 Championship Tournament-bound for the fifth consecutive year, having clinched the #2 seed in regular season play.

 

The Hawks closed out the regular season with a 19-10 overall record and a nearly flawless 10-1 Empire 8 conference record. At their home court, the Hawks were dominant, posting 7 wins and only 2 losses.

 

The Hawks posted a well-rounded offense this season, with senior Shelby Swartz (Candor, N.Y.) leading the charge with 294 kills. Returners Isabella Gracias (Oneonta, N.Y.) and Lucille Walker (Ithaca, N.Y.) were also forces to be reckoned with on the attack, earning 245 and 241 kills respectively.

 

Standout senior Braelyn Hornick (Candor, N.Y.) again proved her tremendous impact on the team, tallying up 659 assists and distributing the ball evenly for the squad to earn a combined .188 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, fellow senior Mary Kinnane (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) has stood out on service to collect 63 aces out of the Hawks' total of 231.

 

Holding down the defense is sophomore libero Malia Dake (South Glens Falls, N.Y.), who leads the squad in digs with 285. Swartz and Sophia Palladino (Owego, N.Y.) also have proven their impact on defense, combining for a total of 469 digs between the two of them.

 

"We are really excited to be going into the playoffs. The women have shown incredible grit, determination, and resilience this entire season," says Head Coach Janet Donovan. "We believe we are playing stronger, more confident, and more together than we have all season long. We are hoping to keep this train rolling, and extend our season as long as we can."

 

The Hawks will kick off postseason play with a home match as they host the No. 7 Utica University Pioneers in quarterfinal action on Saturday, November 8th, at 1:00 PM.

Tournament Schedule

Saturday, November 8th – First Round

• #8 Alfred at #1 St. John Fisher – 1:00 PM

• #7 Utica at #2 Hartwick – 1:00 PM

• #6 Russell Sage at #3 Brockport – 1:00 PM

• #5 Houghton at #4 Geneseo  – 1:00 PM

Wednesday, November 12th – Semifinals

• Winner of St. John Fisher / Alfred vs. Winner of Geneseo / Houghton – 6:00 PM (at higher seed)

• Winner of Hartwick / Utica vs Winner of Brockport / Russell Sage – 6:00 PM (at higher seed)

Saturday, November 15th – Finals

• Winner of Semifinal 1 vs Winner of Semifinal 2 – 1:00 PM (at highest remaining seed)

 

Per Empire 8 policy, there will be a charge for admission to all contests. 

• Adults - $10

• Students and Seniors with ID - $2

• Children under 12 - Free 

Full details will be posted on both the Empire 8 website and the Hartwick College Athletics website as they become available.

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.