CORTLAND, NY — The women’s volleyball team continued play at the SUNYAC tournament tonight and fell in the semifinals to the Fredonia Blue Devils 3-1 (30-25, 30-28, 29-31, 30-17). The Hawks complete their season 27-12 as Fredonia advances to the SUNYAC finals on Saturday against Cortland.
Junior Samantha Prudente led the attack with 12 kills, 22 digs, and three aces. Sophomore Brittany Coyle chipped in with 11 kills and senior Kim Braga finished with 10 kills. Katie Becofsky handed out 48 assists and 10 digs on her way to earning All-Tournament while Nicole Mercadante totaled 13 digs.
In game one the Hawks only lead came at 9-8 before the Blue Devils ran off four points for the 12-9 lead and never looked back. The Hawks brought the game to within one at 14-13 but where unable to even the game. In the second game, Fredonia jumped out to an early lead of 7-3 before the Hawks fought back to even the game at 13-13. The game was tied again at 16-16, followed by the Hawks using a four point run to take the lead 20-16. With the Hawks leading 24-18, Fredonia battled hard and went on a 6-0 run to even the game. The game was tied at 28-28 before Fredonia sealed the game on a kill and an New Paltz error. In game three, New Paltz took the early lead at 11-6. The games was tied four times with the last one coming at 29-29 before Fredonia had a long serve followed by a kill by Brittany Coyle to give the Hawks the 31-29 victory. In the final game, Fredonia took control early and dominated play.
