EASTON, Pa. – Hartford volleyball extended its winning streak to six matches on Friday, taking a pair of straight-set victories against Fairleigh Dickinson and Delaware State in the opening games of the Lafayette Invitational. Junior Jenna Bridges recorded double figures in kills in both matches to finish with 24 to lead the Hawks, who are off to their best start since 1991 with a 7-3 record.
 
Sophomore Megan Anderson combined for 69 assists over the two matches, while freshman Alex Lucero recorded double figures in kills with 10 in each match.
 
HARTFORD 3, FDU 0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-17)

• SET ONE: Led by five kills by Bridges, the Hawks held FDU to .057 hitting and never looked back, as they coasted to a 25-16 win in the opening set. Opening the day up with a 5-1 run, Hartford padded a 7-4 advantage with five-straight points. The Hawks led by as many as 12 points (20-8).
• SET TWO: Holding on to a one-point edge at 11-10, the Hawks created a six-point cushion behind the strength of a 7-2 run. With Hartford leading, 18-13, the Hawks put the Knights away with seven unanswered points. Senior Paulina Modestow and Bridges each had four kills to lead the way.
• SET THREE: A tightly-contested third set quickly saw Hartford expand a 12-11 lead to 20-13 behind the strength of an 8-2 run. The Hawks hit a sizzling .542 in that set to secure the straight-set victory. 
• NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS: Reigning America East Setter of the Week Megan Anderson delivered 31 assists in the straight-set win, while Bridges hit .526 with 13 kills to pace the offense … freshman Alex Lucero added 10 digs … sophomore Brittany Braun registered four blocks in the victory.

 
HARTFORD 3, DELAWARE STATE 0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-16)

• SET ONE: A dominant start featuring seven unanswered points to open the match allowed the Hawks to coast to a 25-7 victory in set one. With Hartford leading by an 8-2 count, the Hawks put the Hornets away by delivering an 8-0 run.
• SET TWO: Hartford benefited from another hot start in the second set. The Hawks, who jumped out to a 6-1 advantage, went on to push ahead by 10 at 18-8 before ending the set on a 10-3 run to seal the victory.
• SET THREE: Back-to-back aces by Modestow capped another furious start by Hartford that gave the team a comfortable 12-4 cushion early on. The Hawks continued to maintain their lead and coasted to the 25-16 victory. 
• NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS: Bridges compiled 11 kills for her seventh-straight match in double figures … Hartford hit .466 on the match, totaling 32 kills in 58 attempts … defensively, the Hawks held Delaware State to -.114 hitting on the afternoon … the Hawks held a commanding 8-1 advantage in blocks.

 
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks wrap up the Lafayette Invitational on Saturday with a 9 a.m. tilt against the host-team Leopards.