Women's Volleyball | 9/17/2021 10:13:00 PM
ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick volleyball team defeated Skidmore in a neutral-site match on Friday night, beating the Thoroughbreds in four sets (25-9, 22-25, 25-19, 25-19) on the first day of the Union/Russell Sage Tournament. The win moves the Hawks' to 6-1, the program's best start since 2007 when they also started out with six victories in their first seven. Skidmore drops to 3-6 on the year.
Hartwick cruised on by in the first set, dominating by a 25-9 score. They flew out to a 14-1 advantage before play in the rest of the set was a little more even. Skidmore evened things up in set two, however, claiming a narrow 25-22 win.
It looked for a time that the Thoroughbreds might keep that momentum going for the rest of the match, as they led by five as late as 17-12 in the third set. The Hawks' showed some perseverance, though, and at 18-15 scored 10 of the next 11 for the 2-1 set lead.
Hartwick jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the fourth set before Skidmore narrowed it 10-8. Seven of the next eight followed for a 17-9 advantage, but the Thoroughbreds would not give up, scoring five straight for a 17-14 score. 'Wick reasserted control from there, however, eventually taking the set, 25-19, and the match three sets to one.
Colette Maloney (Williston Park, NY/Mineola) tied for the match high with 12 kills and earned a double-double by adding 10 digs. Myla Dobson (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) chipped in 10 kills and had four blocks, just one behind Staecia Silofau (Kapolei, HI/Maryknoll) for the match high. Braelyn Hornick (Candor, NY/Candor) led the Hawks with 24 assists, splitting setting duties with Kayley Ericson (Franklin, CT/Norwich Free Academy) and her 14 helpers. Kailee Muscarello (Sayville, NY/Sayville) paced all comers at 17 digs, a career high.
Hartwick is right back to it tomorrow, as they travel to Union for the second day of the tournament. The Hawks will play the host Dutchwomen at 10 a.m. before taking on Plattsburgh at noon.
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