BOX SCORE LANGHORNE, PA - The Hunter men's volleyball team improved to 3-4 on the season with a 3-0 sweep of Cairn University on Thursday night. The Hawks won 25-20, 25-22 and 26-24.
The Hawks opened up in the first set trading points with the Highlanders. After a Highlander kill making the score 10-10, the Hawks went on a 10-4 run to put some distance between the teams. The Hawks strong attack during the run was led by
Benjamin Cassidy's three kills,
Mehmet Ozturk's two kills and
Brandon Kohler's one kill and block assist. The Hawks attack would continue to put pressure on the Highlanders forcing errors and smashing kills.
Early on in the second set both teams traded three point runs but with the Hawks trailing 8-7, the Hawks scored six of the next seven points to gain a little breathing room and take 13-9 lead. The Hawk attack was once again strong, forcing the Highlanders into attack errors as well as getting timely kills from Kohler, Cassidy and CUNYAC Player of the Week
Steven Tarquinio. The Hawks maintained the pressure fighting off a late rally to secure a 25-22 victory.
Both teams continued their strong play in the third set not allowing either to take larger than a four point lead. The Hawks dug deep as a 17-13 lead evaporated into a 17-17 tie. The Hawks responded scoring five of the next seven points to take a 22-19 lead but the Highlanders would respond tying the game two more times at 22-22 and 24-24. The Hawks would take the set on a
Brandon Kohler kill.
Kohler led the Hawks attack with 10 kills and four combined blocks. Tarquinio had nine kills and four combined blocks and Cassidy chipped in with eight blocks. Jon Peter Sardea was excellent setting up his teammates totaling 26 assists.
The Hawks return to action Tuesday night when they host nationally ranked New York University. The match is set to begin at 6pm.
The Hawks are welcoming back all Men's Volleyball Alumni to Tuesday's match, all alumni in attendance will be recognized during the match. There will also be an alumni reception following the match.
