Women’s Volleyball Wins Red Dragon Classic for the First Time
The women’s volleyball team won the Red Dragon Classic with a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 30-28) showing against Cortland. Cortland has won 15 of the previous 23 Classics, including four of the last five. This is the first time that New Paltz has won the Classic in the 21 years they have competed.
Senior Samantha Prudente and junior Brittany Coyle totaled nine kills each. Junior Stephanie Bova handed out 31 assists and senior Nicole Mercadante collected 28 digs.
Earlier in the day the Hawks defeated Montclair State, 3-0 to advance to the championship match. New Paltz won by scores of 25-12, 25-22, 25-12. Prudente paced the attack with eight kills and junior Allison Kiernan chipped in with six kills. Bova dished out 25 assists, 10 digs and Mercadante tallied a team high 21 digs. Coyle and Dana Kindelmann each totaled five blocks.
First year Melinda DiGiovanna was selected as the New Paltz All-Tournament representative.
New Paltz returns to action in two weeks when they host the Hawk Invite on September 12-13th. The Hawks will start the tournament at 4pm when they face Mt. St. Mary.