ALBANY, N.Y. - The Hartwick Women's Volleyball team split Day One of the Crosstown Challenge on Friday afternoon, hosted by Russell Sage College and Union College.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hartwick 0 Williams 3

• Location: Albany, N.Y. | Kahl Campus Center

• Records: Hartwick (3-5, 0-0 Empire 8) Williams (5-0, 0-0 NESCAC)

BY THE NUMBERS (vs Williams)

• The Hawks have yet to have a home contest this season, playing their 8th and 9th consecutive road match.

• Hartwick matched up with a red hot Williams squad who have yet to drop a set this season through five games.

• Shelby Swartz (Candor, N.Y.) and Lucille Walker (Ithaca, N.Y.) paced the attack with eight kills each. 

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs Williams)

The Hawks opened the Crosstown Challenge against NESCAC powerhouse Williams College, falling in three sets.

Williams jumped out quickly in the opener, taking the first set 25-14. Hartwick settled in during the second, keeping pace before the Ephs pulled away late for a 25-18 decision.

The third set turned into a thriller with 13 lead changes. Hartwick grabbed momentum behind a pair of Williams errors and a kill from Swartz to go up 14-11. The Ephs rallied, but the Hawks pushed back to take a 23-21 lead. Williams, however, closed on a final run to secure the sweep.

BY THE NUMBERS (vs Oneonta)

• The Hawks faced their cross-city rival at Russell Sage, matching up for the first time at a neutral site since 2013.

• Hartwick has gotten the best of the Red Dragons on the hardwood in recent years, pushing their win streak to five.

• Ellie Kalbach (Spring City, Pa.) set a new career high in assists, collecting 49 in the five set thriller.

HOW IT HAPPENED (vs Oneonta)

After facing a talented Williams squad earlier in the day, the Hartwick volleyball team bounced back in dramatic fashion on Friday night, taking down local rival Oneonta in a grueling five-set battle to close Day One of the Crosstown Challenge.

The Red Dragons struck first, using a late run to secure the opening set 25-19. The Hawks responded in the second, trading points until a clutch kill from Swartz sealed a 26-24 win. Hartwick carried that momentum into the third, delivering its best set of the season with a blistering .529 hitting percentage in a dominant 25-7 victory.

Oneonta answered in the fourth to extend the match, forcing a decisive fifth set. With the score tight early, Isabella Gracias (Oneonta, N.Y.) sparked the Hawks with three straight kills for a 5-3 lead. The teams battled to a 12-12 deadlock before Swartz put down a kill and an ace, and Sophia Palladino (Owego, N.Y.) closed the match with the final swing.

Swartz led all players with 20 kills, while Gracias tallied 15 and Palladino added 11 as all three Hawks finished in double figures.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will head to Union College to conclude the Cross Town challenge against New Paltz and Union on Saturday, September 13 at 12 & 2 PM.

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.