HOBOKEN, N.J.- The Hunter College women's volleyball team faced a challenging slate of nonconference competition Saturday afternoon, taking on Stevens and Rowan University in a tri-match hosted by the Ducks. The Hawks battled two programs with a combined 46 wins entering the day but were unable to come away with a victory, falling in straight sets in both contests.
Game 1: Stevens 3, Hunter 0
The Hawks (11-10, 6-0 CUNYAC) opened the afternoon against Stevens (22-2), falling in three sets, 25-17, 25-20 and 25-16.
Hunter struggled to establish its offensive rhythm in the opening frame, recording eight kills before Stevens pulled away for a 25-17 victory. The Hawks responded with a stronger showing in the second, battling through five ties and a lead change while recording nine kills. Despite keeping the frame competitive, Hunter dropped the set, 25-20, before Stevens closed out the sweep with a 25-16 win in the third.
Kassidy Cruz Nuesi led the Hunter attack with six kills and four total blocks, including one solo. River Sutch followed with five kills and 12 digs, while Astrid Alayo contributed four kills.
Sofia Marolla directed the offense with 16 assists and eight digs, while Maya Cosmo anchored the defensive effort with a team-high 13 digs. Marris Cheng added seven digs and two service aces, while Natalie Morrill chipped in six digs.
Hunter finished the match with 19 kills, 18 assists, 52 digs and four service aces.
Game 2: Rowan 3, Hunter 0
Hunter (11-11, 6-0 CUNYAC) returned to the court later in the afternoon to face Rowan University (24-3), falling in straight sets, 25-7, 25-19 and 25-14.
The Hawks struggled offensively in the opening frame as Rowan took control early for a 25-7 victory. Hunter showed improvement in the second, recording six kills and battling through two ties and two lead changes before the Profs secured a 25-19 win. Rowan maintained its momentum in the third, closing out the match with a 25-14 victory.
Sutch paced the Hunter offense with six kills, five digs and two service aces. Melissa Alfaro turned in an efficient performance at the net, recording three kills without an error on four attempts for a .750 hitting percentage while adding four total blocks, including one solo.
Cruz Nuesi contributed two kills and two total blocks, while Marolla directed the offense with 12 assists. Cosmo once again led the defensive effort with a match-high 13 digs.
Hunter finished the second match with 14 kills, 14 assists, 28 digs and three service aces while recording six total blocks.
The Hawks return to the court on Nov. 3 for the final conference game of the regulars season at John Jay College. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
