New York, NY- The Hunter College Women's Volleyball team completed it's undefeated CUNYAC play, when the #1 Hawks defeated the #2 Bulldogs of Brooklyn College in straight sets (27-25, 25-12, 25-23) at Baruch's ARC Arena.  In a rematch of last years final, the Hawks reclaimed the trophy for the 7th time in 8 years, and for the 27th time overall.  CUNYAC Player of the Year Mariam Ouattara continued her outstanding senior campaign when she was also recognized as the tournament MVP for her play in the Semi-finals and Finals.  Rookie of the Year Bethany Tomaneng was named to the All Tournament team, along with fellow Freshman Lily Mattison, as the Hawks swept both the semi-finals and finals this week.

With the victory, Hunter earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship, and will find out their next opponent on Monday when the brackets are released. Hunter completed this conference season by going a combined 9-0 and winning every match in straight sets 3-0.

In a rematch of last year's five set championship, Hunter and Brooklyn battled in the first set.  Going back and forth in the early stages of set #1 and with the score tied 11-11, Hunter went on a run forcing Brooklyn to call a timeout down 17-11.  Brooklyn came out and tied the match at 19 a piece, trading point back and forth Hunter faced the first of two set points from Brooklyn 24-23.  Hunter responded each time leveling it at 24-24, and again at 25-25.  Junior transfer Tionna Moss put the Hawks up 26-25, and Freshman middle Lily Mattison put the set away at 27-25 as the Hawks claimed the set on back to back kills.

In the second set Hunter raced out to a big early lead 18-6, Hunter's run was fueled by 4 service aces, and gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.  In the deciding set Brooklyn responded and took an early 11-7 lead.  Hunter came back and tied the match at 13, and they traded points back and forth until Brooklyn took a 24-23 lead.  Serving for the set and to continue the match Hunter went to their MVP Mariam Ouattara for back to back kills to take the 25-24 lead.  With a trip to the NCAA tournament on the line Junior Erin Dugan stepped up to the back line and secured Hunter's win with the teams 8th ace and her 3rd of the match.

Freshman rookie of the year, setter Bethany Tomaneng led Hunter with 36 assists along with 11 digs,  Tournament MVP and conference player of the year Mariam Ouattara led Hunter with 11 kills on 19 swings hitting a match high 474.  The Hawks offense was clicking on all cylinders with Tionna Moss chipping in with 9 kills, Lily Mattison had 8 kills, and Mariapaz Lojano had 7 kills while Hunter had 40 kills as a team.  The Hawks had 11 blocks and 57 digs, and 8 service aces.