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NEW YORK, NY -  The Hunter Hawks women's volleyball team defeated Baruch College 3-2, in a tough five set match, to claim the 2014 CUNYAC Championship and the NCAA automatic qualifier. The Hawks defeated the Bearcats on their home court to claim the program's first title in four years.
 
The Bearcats gained an early advantage taking the first set 25-23. The set was a back, forth affair with the teams trading long rallies full of acrobatic digs, and excellent attacking and defensive play at the net. Neither team was able to get more than three points ahead the entire set.
 
The second set was where the Hawks regained their focus and were able to rebound from a first set loss. CUNYAC Player of the Year Lucia Stosic got the Hawks off a hot start smashing two kills en route to an early 5-1 Hawk lead. The Hawks looked to be in trouble when they trailed 22-15 but Taylor Kordich smashed three kills to get the team right back into the set. Karolina Gajda was great in her serving rotation, as she served the final 10 points of the match. The Hawks finished out the set on a 10-0 run capped off by back-to-back kills by CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Julia Connolly.
 
The third set saw the Hawks and Bearcats trade runs early on but each time Bearcats would come back the Hawks showed their composure and teamwork to repel the Bearcats. The Hawks ended the set on a 6-0 to take a 2-1 advantage.
 
The fourth set started out tight and with the score tied 5-5, the Bearcats went on a 7-0 run and played superb defense to claim a 25-18 set victory.
 
In the deciding fifth set, the Hawks were able to stay ahead the entire set. With the score 12-9, a minute long rally where the Hawks won the point put the icing on the cake. Paulina Jobczyk closed out the set with two consecutive aces giving the Hawks the 3-2 Championship victory.
 
"I'm so proud of this team," said coach Val Lang. "We played like a team all year and this is such a great reward."
 
Stosic led the Hawks with game-high 16 kills to go along with one solo block and three block assists, Connolly chipped in with 13 kills of her own, while hitting .256%. Setter Kristine Ciurcina had 39 assists and Karolina Gajda had nine kills and three aces.
 
Tournament MVP Taylor Kordich had 10 kills, five digs and two aces, while hitting a team-high .296%.
 
The Hawks move on to the NCAA Tournament next Friday, check back on Sunday to find out whom the Hawks will face.