The women’s volleyball team finished 2-1 at the Richard Stockton Osprey Classic in Galloway, New Jersey this weekend, turning their overall season record to 22-5.
In the first matchup of the event on Friday, Oct. 17, the Hawks took the win over Springfield College 3-2 (25-19, 24-26, 25-13, 22-25, 16-14.) Fourth-year libero Katy Herbst notched 24 digs, while second-year middle hitter Morgan Roessler totaled 17 kills. First-year setter Maddie Zwickl trumped a career record with 59 assists. New Paltz finished with a .269 hitting percentage and totaled 12 aces.
The following day, the Hawks split games against the Richard Stockton College Ospreys (1-3) and the Swarthmore College Garnet (3-2). In the day’s first matchup, New Paltz won the first set 25-22 over the Ospreys, but ultimately fell in four sets (25-22, 11-25, 14-25, 22-25). The Hawks made a comeback in their next game, working to defeat the Garnet in five sets (25-23, 12-25, 14-25, 25-21, 16-14).Third-year outside hitter Becca Borquist showed dominance on the court with 16 kills and 21 digs, while Herbst totaled 32 digs.
Head Coach Matt Giufre said he is content with how the team made a concerted effort to make a comeback after losing Saturday’s first game. This tournament was one of the more challenging events the Hawks have faced so far this season, he said.
“There were some really hard points and hard games,” Giufre said. “I think they did a good job of putting [the loss] behind them and going through the plan of how we wanted to attack Swarthmore, letting go of what just happened. They’re really resilient and good at focusing on what’s next.”
Herbst said this challenge was essential for the team’s preparation for upcoming SUNYAC matchups this weekend. The team shook the loss off easily, she said, and they were able to put all of their focus into the last game of the event.
“I think the team was challenged this weekend and that was exactly what we needed right before our last conference pool play weekend,” Herbst said. “We faced three really good teams and I think it helped us find the areas we can improve on for the future.”
Aside from their dominant overall season record, the team has been consistent thus far in each SUNYAC game they have played as well. They have been undefeated in all six conference games, and because of this, Giufre said defeating SUNY Fredonia this Friday would be a success since they currently hold the same conference record as the Hawks.
Some of the preparation for SUNYAC play has happened through some of the non-conference matchups that the team has already encountered, Giufre said. He credits the team’s diligent work ethic in workouts and practice to much of their season’s success.
“We rarely have to stop something we’re doing in practice to talk about work ethic, focus or concentration,” Giufre said. “They want to play well all the time and they’re willing to put the effort in and to make sure that we always have the chance to win.”
The Hawks travel to SUNY Fredonia this Friday, Oct. 24 to play their final weekend of SUNYAC matches against Fredonia, Geneseo and Oswego.
