New Paltz women’s volleyball opens the Vassar Invite with two wins

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team opened the Vassar College Invitational with victories over cross town rival Vassar and SUNYAC West Division Champion Fredonia.

In the first game, the Hawks defeated Vassar 3-1 by the scores of 25-18,19-25, 25-18, 25-10.

Brittany Coyle (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley) paced the Hawks with 13 kills and Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead, NY/Hempstead) chipped in with 12 kills. Stephanie Bova (Central Square, NY/Central Square) dished out 40 assists on the evening. Nicole Mercadante (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) tallied 14 digs and Priska Wilson (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) added 12 digs. Dana Kindelmann (Nesconest, NY/Sachem North) led the Hawks with five blocks.

In the second game, the Hawks defeated Fredonia 3-0 by the score of 25-23, 25-15, 25-15.

Coyle led the Hawks with 13 kills, Amanda Kopp (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) added 12 kills and DiGiovanna had 11 kills to pace the Hawks attack. Bova led with 40 assists and Mercadante had 15 digs.

With the two victories, the Hawks improve to 27-7 overall and 7-1 SUNYAC competition.

The Hawks continue the Vassar Invitational tomorrow against Stevens Institute at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. against University of Rochester.