Haverford, PA - The women's volleyball team started their season off with two wins this weekend as they competed in the Haverford Tournament. Their day started with a 3-1 victory over Wheaton College and concluded with a 3-1 win over host team Haverford.

Wheaton Recap (W 3-1, 26-24, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17)
Behind the offensive prowess from Taylor Haiduk and Marlena Budna who each had 12 kills, and defensive efforts from Miranda Hogan and Haley Trunkett, the Hawks managed their first victory of the season over Wheaton. It was a see-saw first set where the Purple and Gold found themselves up early and then knotted at 11 a piece midway through the set. A 9-3 Wheaton run threatened to set the Hawks back a set as they found themselves down 20-15, but back-to-back kills from Budna and Kylie Hurst gave their squad the boost they needed. Still down by two, an Emily Wasson kill coupled with three Wheaton miscues gave Hunter the first set win, 26-24.

The second set played out similar to the first where Hunter found themselves up early and then tied at 11 a piece. However, this time, down the stretch the Lyons managed to build a four-point lead at 23-19 and with kills from Nikita Selivan and Claire Cansler, took the second set, 25-21 to even the score.

The Purple and Gold took an early 8-1 lead in the third set and never looked back. A combined 11 team kills assisted with a set score of 25-20 which put them back in the lead, 2-1. Hunter hit their stride in the fourth set and once again jumped out to an 8-1 lead which turned into an 18-11 advantage. At this point, the Lyon deficit was too much to overcome as two late kills from Budna put the nail in the coffin in the 25-17 set win.

Hogan was the game high leader with 30 assists while Isabelle Lawrence registered six blocks. Hogan and Trunkett also led the Hawks on the defensive end with 18 digs each. As a team, they hit .134, had eight aces, 69 digs and 42 kills.

Haverford Recap (W 3-1, 25-20, 25-15, 29-27, 25-21)
In the second and final match of the day, the Purple and Gold came away with their second 3-1 win. The first set proved to be a set of runs with both teams combining for six runs of at least four unanswered points. A late 4-0 run gave the Hawks just enough to power through toward the end. Despite an eight point cushion with set point, Haverford managed to chip away and pull within four, but a Wasson kill ended the comeback and gave her team the 25-20 win.

The Hawks wasted no time jumping out in front in the second set, leading 17-12 and then 19-15. Determined, they pulled together and won the final six points for an impressive 25-15 second set victory. The third was another see-saw battle. Both teams wound up exchanging multiple unanswered points but either were willing to go away without a fight. Despite being knotted at 25 a piece and then Hunter having the set point advantage, the Fords managed the final three points to get on the board, 29-27.

Alyssa Broccoli's squad shot out to a 16-6 lead and found themselves on the brink of a win when the score read 21-12, but the Fords did not go away easily. They put up a 9-2 run to pull within two, but a Hurst kill set the Hawks up with match point. A Sydney Miller ball handling error ended the match with the 25-21 score favoring the Hawks.

Haiduk led the Hawks with 16 kills while Budna added 12. Hogan did her part with 28 assists and eight aces while Trunkett registered 13 digs.

For her efforts over the two matches, Haiduk was named to the Haverford Invitational All-Tournament Team. 

The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, September 5 when they have their home opener against Manhattanville College at the Sportsplex. First serve is scheduled for 6pm.