BOSTON, Mass. - The Hawks found their way to bean town this evening, as they open up conference play against the Suffolk University Rams on the road. Hartford was able to fend off the Rams securing a 3-2 victory, in a match that saw all five sets.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks and Rams started things off neck and neck, trading blows back and forth through the start of set one. With the score even at eight Hartford would pull away earning themselves a 15-11 lead, spearheaded by a pair of kills from junior Sydney Ball (Enfield, Conn.) Suffolk would keep things interesting as they brought themselves within a point 19-18. The Hawks managed to keep Suffolk at a distance and finish set one victorious 25-23.
• Set 2 began in a similar way to the first, as the Hawks and Rams got off to a back and forth start. A pair of service errors and kills from freshman Tiffany Mendez (Bay Shore, NY), and sophomore Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.) tied the score at four. The teams would continue exchanging blows into the mid-point of the set, as the stalemates would continue up to the 11th point. Hartford would then go on a 6-1 run with kills from Mendez, freshman Emily Theobald (Verona, NJ) and junior Juliana Robinshaw (South Windsor, Conn.), bringing the score to 17-12. Suffolk would answer with four unanswered points bringing the score to 17-16. Hartford would go on to score the next three, but not before long the set would find itself in another draw 22-22. The Ram's 3-1 run would secure the second set for them as the match would be tied at a set, following a 2nd set score of 25-22.
• Hartford would open up the scoring in set three with a kill from Ball. The third set, much like the first two would see yet another draw as both teams' scores were even at four, then again at six. Hartford would break the tie with a 3-1 run with kills from Jo. Murphy and sophomore Jenna Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.). It would not be long until things were equal once again 11-11 and once again 13-13. A 5-1 Suffolk run would break the tie, but once again the game would be at impasse 18-18. This back and forth would continue until the very end, as set three ended with back to back kills from Mendez, as the Hawks would take set three 26-24.
• To no surprise the back and forth would spill over into set four. Another pair of kills from Mendez and one from Jo. Murphy would tie the score at four a piece. Suffolk would take a lead early on, as their 4-0 run put them ahead 8-4. Hartford would have a tough time finding their grove in this set, as another run from Suffolk would put them ahead 17-8. The Hawks would not be able to mount a comeback in this set and The Rams would go onto win set four, comfortably 25-12.
• Hartford hit the ground running in the final set of this match, as a 5-1 run would put them up early, headed by a pair of kills from Jo. Murphy, and a kill from Mendez. Hartford's fifth set dominance would continue as they saw themselves up 10-5, with five points to go in the final set. The Hawks, kept their foot on the gas, as another kill from Jo. Murphy would put them at match point 14-7. A clutch service ace from sophomore Kalle Legassey (Prospect, Conn.) would be the tipping point as Hartford would win a very evenly battled match, with a fifth set victory 15-7.

Post Game Press:
"We wanted to kickoff conference play by making a statement..." said Legassey. "A statement of pursuing excellence, grit, and passion!"

Inside The Numbers:

• Mendez lead all Hartford players with career-high 18 kills. 
• Legassey finished with career-high 18 digs. 
• Team-high five assisted blocks for Theobald.
• Career-high 29 Assists for sophomore Liahnna Orange (Linden, NJ).

Up Next:
The Hawks will travel to New London on Friday Sep. 27 to take on the United States Coast Guard Academy.

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