Huntingdon, PA – The men's volleyball team faced tough competition this weekend at the Juniata Invitational in which two of the three teams they faced are ranked in the top five in the national polls. Hunter fell to #2 New Paltz on Friday evening, 3-1 and then were stopped by #4 Nazareth, 3-0 and Juniata, 3-1 during the Saturday session. The losses move the Purple and Gold to 11-6 overall but remain perfect in CUNYAC action, 6-0.
 
#2 New Paltz Recap
Benjamin Crusinberry led the offense with 10 kills while the quartet of Matthew Zukowski, Blake Hogan, Steven Tarquinio and Benjamin Cassidy combined for 19 kills. Joseph Muir tallied 16 digs while Nicolas Sanchez registered 11 of his own and claimed 28 assists.
 
The Hawks stayed close with their counterparts, tying the game through the first six points, and then facing an 11-9 battle. Three straight New Paltz points put them in a five point hole, but two kills from Zukowski and an Anthony Bonilla attack error made it a 14-12 affair. However, the second ranked team in the country unleashed a 6-0 in the latter stages of the set which allowed them to cruise to a 25-18 first set victory.
 
In similar fashion, New Paltz unraveled a 3-0 and 5-0 run in the latter stages of the match, cruising to a 25-14 second set victory, putting Hunter in a 0-2 hole. However, the Hawks turned the tables in the third. After facing a 9-5 deficit, they came from behind and tied it at 17 thanks to a Crusinberry kill. Four straight Purple and Gold points gave them a three point lead while Cassidy's kill put the final touches on a 25-21 third set.
 
In the fourth, Hunter stayed within one of New Paltz until their competitors threw down six unanswered points which proved enough to head down the stretch to take a 25-14 win.
 
#4 Nazareth Recap
Crusinberry once again led the offense with nine kills while Tarquinio matched his teammate with as many kills. Muir registered a team high nine digs while Sanchez tallied 24 assists.
 
Hunter fell behind during the midway point of the first, 16-9 but fought back and responded with five straight points, capped with a Tarquinio kill to make it a 16-14 affair. However, the Hawks were unable to overcome the two point deficit as Nazareth powered through to the end, putting Hunter in an early 1-0 hole, 25-21.
 
The second was played similar to the first with the Purple and Gold behind at the 13-9 mark. Once again, they pulled within striking distance with three straight points to make it a two point affair, but it was not enough as they fell by a score of 25-19 in the second.
 
The Hawks found themselves down 10-6 in the third, but a 4-0 run brought them even with Nazareth at 10-10. A kill from Austen Rerick made it a one point game at 19-18 but four straight points by the #4 team in the country proved to be enough to serve the Hawks with their first loss of the day, 25-21.
 
Juniata Recap
Hogan erupted for 17 kills while Tarquinio and Crusinberry combined for 19. Sanchez earned 31 assists and 16 digs while Muir tallied 18 digs on the day.
 
Falling behind 4-0, Hunter went on to out-score the hosts 6-1 over the next seven points to take the lead. After falling behind 18-12, a Hogan kill sparked three straight points to pull within one at 22-23. However a service error by Daniel Dobrogowski service error awarded Juniata the 25-23 win.
 
With the second set tied at eight a piece, a 6-1 Juniata run gave them a five point upper hand. The Hawks fought back and pulled within two at 20-18 but a set ending 5-1 run set Hunter back 0-2 after a 25-19 loss.
 
Despite playing from behind for the majority of the set, Hunter tied it at 17, 18, 19 and 21 while eventually pulling ahead 24-22. A kill from Sanchez gave them their first set victory, 25-23. In the fourth, Hunter was down 19-13 but clawed their way back to pull within two at 24-22 but a kill by Kyle Seeley closed the books on a 3-1 Juniata win.
 
For his efforts, Muir was named to the Juniata All-Tournament Team.
 
Hunter is back in action on Thursday, February 25 when they compete against john Jay at 6pm at the Bloodhounds gymnasium.