Hawks Win Silver Bracket at Red Dragon Classic

CORTLAND, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team won its final two matches to win the silver bracket championship at the Red Dragon Classic hosted by Cortland this weekend.

The Hawks, who went 2-2 during the two-day event, closed out the tournament with a five game victory (31-29, 23-30, 30-28, 28-30, 15-13) over St. Michael’s. Sophomore outside hitter Andrea Kaiser (Blue Point, NY) recorded 20 kills and 10 digs and senior setter Jennifer Hollis (Livingston, NJ) added 46 assists to carry New Paltz to 15-13 win the fifth and deciding game.

The Hawks, now 3-5 on the year, opened the second day with a five-game win (30-18, 30-24, 21-30, 30-32, 15-13) over St. Lawrence. Kaiser turned in 14 kills, three digs and three block assists while freshman rightside hitter Franchesca Rodriguez (Schenectady, NY) hit .286 with five kills and four solo blocks.

New Paltz began the tournament with a 3-0 loss to Nazareth. The Hawks hit just .096 in the match while falling to the Golden Flyers 30-14, 30-14, 31-29.

New Paltz was also handed a defeat from conference rival Geneseo. Despite 15 kills and seven digs from Kaiser, the Hawks fell 13-30, 24-30, 30-28, 25-30.