WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford volleyball team concluded its 2022 campaign Saturday night, falling in straight sets to Chicago State. The Hawks end the season with a 2-24 overall record, while the Cougars close out the campaign with an 8-15 mark.
 
CHICAGO STATE 3, HARTFORD 0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-15)
 
SET ONE: The Cougars came out of the gates quick, jumping out to an early 10-4 lead over the Hawks, forcing a Hartford timeout. Using a 3-0 run fueled by back-to-back kills from junior Uzezi Ijoma, the Hawks would close the gap to 12-8. Chicago State found a way to answer back, posting a 4-0 run of its own to open up the game and hold a 16-8 edge over the Hawks. Despite a late attempt to snap the momentum, Chicago State would take the first set, 25-14. 
 
SET TWO: Chicago State began the second set with another 2-0 lead. Nonetheless, Hartford battled back using kills from senior classmates Greta De Gasper and Lika Nkenchor as well as freshman Isabella Labrada to cut the lead to just one at 4-3. The Cougars once again opened up the game, using a 10-2 run to extend their advantage to 14-5. Hartford would be able to close the gap to eight in the late moments of the set after Nkenchor and Sydney Luchs stuffed an attack attempt at the net. Kylee Connally would cap off the 4-0 run for the Hawks with her first service ace of the match. However, the Cougars lead would be too much to overcome for Hartford, as Chicago State took the second set, 25-15.
 
SET THREE: Hartford wasted little time going on the attack in the third set, jumping out to an early 7-3 lead to force a Chicago State timeout. The Cougars responded after the short break and tied the game up at eight apiece, resulting in a pause in action called by Hartford. After the timeout, Chicago State gained its first lead, taking a 13-9 edge heading into the latter portion of the set. Despite a late push trading points back-and-forth the Hawks would fall 25-15 in the third and final set. 
 
NOTES & HIGHLIGHTS: De Gasper led the way with eight kills … Nkenchor added six kills and distributed a team-high 11 assists … senior Sara Gasparotto tallied two kills, one assist and one block on the night.