Wayne, N.J.- The Hunter College women's volleyball team fell to William Paterson University on the road Monday night, 4-1.
The Hawks (10-11) won the first set 25-20. William Paterson (13-10) took the first two points of the match, but Hunter quickly tied it up and took the lead curtiousy of Alexa Sayson's first of three service aces. The score would remain a close back and forth until Hunter separated itself from the 20-20 tie, scoring five consecutive points to close out the set, including a pair of kills by Sayson.
The teams were evenly matched in the second set, as a back and forth battle ensued, with ties at almost every other point until the Pioneers took the lead, 13-10. Hunter answered with five consecutive points of its own, sparked by Justine Smith's three straight aces. The home team would fight back as both teams were neck and neck for the remainder of the match until the Pioneers pulled away, ultimately taking the second match 25-22.
Hunter trailed for the majority of the third, with the largest lead of the night coming at 21-11. The Hawks would hold off William Paterson to just three more points and the Purple and Gold rallied to 22, including a service ace from Liz Danielle Singson, her first of the season. Despite the valiant effort, Hunter fell 25-22, trailing the Pioneers by one set the start the fourth.
Looking to even the score, the Hawks started off exchanging points with William Paterson but the Pioneers pulled away to an 11-5 lead that would last the remainder of the set as the Hawks fell 25-14 to close out play for the night.
Mariam Ouattara led the team with 13 kills, and two services aces for the night. Fellow senior, Alexa Sayson also logged 11 digs, nine kills, and three services aces, along with Justine Smith who logged a trio of aces and nine digs of her own. Rookie libero Erin Hyman recorded the most kills on the team with 27, her third best performance of the year.
The Hawks return to the court on Oct. 26 as they host Lehman College for their final home game of the season. First serve is slated for 6 p.m. at the Hunter Sportsplex.
