New York, N.Y.- The Hunter College women's volleyball team defeated its cross-town foe, Baruch, in the Battle of Lexington at the Hunter Sportsplex on Tuesday evening. With the win, the Hawks continued their dominant run with a commanding 3-0 victory as they now sit at 18-5 overall and a perfect 5-0 in conference play. In their fifth straight win, Hunter made quick work of their opponent, winning in straight sets 25-22, 25-11, and 26-24.
The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) match started out closely contested, with Hunter overcoming a four-point deficit, scoring six unasnwered points to secure the 25-22 victory in set one. The Bearcats (7-9, 2-2 CUNYAC) were unable to keep up in the second, as Hunter went up 2-0 with a dominate 25-11 win. The Purple and Gold opened up the third set with four straight points before Baruch was able to get on the board. The visitors managed a comeback attempt but could not overcome the Hawks' power, as the final set ended at 26-24 in favor of the Hawks.
Leading the way for Hunter was senior outside hitter Izabella Williams, who showcased her offensive prowess with 13 kills on 30 attempts, hitting an impressive .367. She also contributed defensively with six digs and a pair blocks, racking up a match-high 14 points. Supporting her efforts was middle blocker Lily Mattison, who added eight kills and hit a stellar .375, while also proving crucial on defense with two blocks, adding 10 points to Hunter's tally.
Setter Bethany Tomaneng orchestrated the offense brilliantly, dishing out 31 assists while chipping in with three kills and two aces of her own. She also recorded five digs and played a key role in Hunter's defensive efforts.
Simone McIntyre also made her presence felt, contributing eight kills and 13 digs, while Amina Moummad added six kills and five digs in a solid two-way effort. The Hawks' aggressive approach at the net and consistent serving put constant pressure on Baruch, who struggled to maintain momentum, particularly in the second set where Hunter dominated 25-11.
Hunter's victory not only extended their win streak but also cemented their top spot in the CUNYAC standings. The squad returns to the court this weekend as they travel to DeSales University for a trimatch. The Hawks will face off against the host at 11:00 a.m. followed by Montclair State at 1:00 p.m.
