This past weekend marked the beginning of SUNYAC games for Women’s Volleyball, and it was a victorious beginning. The Hawks played the Plattsburgh Cardinals Sept. 24 and the Potsdam Bears Sept. 25 on our home court.
The Plattsburgh game started with the first point going to the Cardinals, but New Paltz scored seven points in a row to secure an immediate lead. The Cardinals scored more points, but kills from third-year middle hitter Victoria Konicki, third year outside hitter Katie Steele and a team service ace kept the lead in New Paltz’s favor. First-year middle hitter Letisha Perez also scored two kills with assists from second-year setter Cate DiGiacomo. Our Hawks were able to score another six points in a row. The final score of set one ended up 25-17 in our favor.
The second set started with the first point going to Plattsburgh again, and the two teams went back and forth for the set until New Paltz won eight points in a row. Set two finished with a 25-15 win for New Paltz. Set three started off with the Cardinals getting the first point, which had become almost a signature of their play in this match, but unlike the previous sets they were able to follow this first point with five in a row.
The Hawks pulled some impressive play with some star players. Third year right side hitter Makenzie Bills and second-year outside hitter Mackenzie Williams both bagged four kills and Perez took three this set. The third set unfortunately went to Plattsburgh, albeit with an incredibly close 25-22.
Set four began with Williams taking the first point for the Hawks, breaking the pattern. Williams played hard and said that while SUNYAC games can be a little stressful, “They’re always super fun and exciting!” The Hawks kept their energy up and were able to take the fourth set 25-17, for a 3-1 win overall.
The Hawks rode their Plattsburgh win into the match against Potsdam. The second home game and a game after a great win, this match was no challenge for the Hawks. In set one, New Paltz took the first point off of an attack error and then bagged four service aces in a row. They started the set with a seven point lead, and Potsdam took only one point before New Palz scored eight in a row. Potsdam tried to catch up, but the first set went 25-21 in the Hawks’ favor. Set two was absolute domination from New Paltz: 12 kills, with a score of 25-9.
There was no stopping New Paltz now. Kills from Konicki, Bills, Perez and Williams, as well as many attack errors from the Bears, ended the set with a 25-17 win for New Paltz. The score was 3-0 for the Potsdam match. Both SUNYAC games were victories for Women’s Volleyball, and the team is carrying that energy into their upcoming games.
“It’s always great to see our hard work pay off,” says Williams. And pay off, it did!
