ONEONTA, N.Y. – Women's volleyball opened Empire 8 play with a 3-0 victory over Sage, taking the sets 25-19, 25-23, and 28-26. The Hawks improve to 6-7 overall and 1-0 in Empire 8 play.
Lucille Walker (Ithaca, N.Y.) led the Hawks offensively with 16 kills while hitting a .483, adding four blocks and four aces.
Isabella Gracias (Oneonta, N.Y.) followed with 15 kills at a .378, while
Thylia Keoviengsamay (Rome, N.Y.) recorded 34 assists and 4 kills.
Malia Dake (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) paced Hartwick defensively with 16 digs, while Keoviengsamay added 13,
Makella O'Neill (Webster, N.Y.) adding nine.
As a team, Hartwick finished with 45 kills on 121 attacks. The Hawks added nine aces, 45 digs, and eight blocks as a team. They held the Gators to 34 kills and a .136 hitting percentage throughout the duration of the match.
Hartwick took control early in the opening set, building an 18-12 advantage before Sage pulled within three at 18-15. The Hawks answered with a late run, getting kills from Gracias and Walker to bring the Blue and White to set point. The Hawks were able to close out the opening frame, 25-19.
The second set was tightly contested throughout, with the score tied at 9-9 before Hartwick began to create some separation. The Hawks held 12-9 lead and later led 19-18 before Sage tied the set 20-20. Hartwick closed strong, with more kills from Gracias and Walker aiding the Hawks in the second set win.
The third set went down to the wire as teams traded leads throughout the frame. Hartwick jumped out to a 9-1 lead before Sage rallied to tie the score at 20-20, eventually taking a 24-22 advantage. The Hawks fought off set point, tying the score 24-24. Sage pushed the match 26-25, Hartwick answering with three straight points to complete the sweep, 28-26.
