University of Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford volleyball team won its third straight match on Tuesday night, completing a three-set sweep of SUNY New Paltz (25-19, 25-12, 25-17).

Rapid Recap: 

• Hartford and SUNY New Paltz battled through a tightly contested opening set, with the score tied at 8-8 before Hartford began to create some separation. SUNY New Paltz answered to even the score at 13-13 and again at 14-14, but the Hawks used a 7-1 run to take control and build a 23-16 advantage, with freshman Calla McCombs (Bloomfield, N.Y.) delivering three kills during the stretch. SUNY New Paltz battled back with three straight points to pull within 23-19, but Hartford closed out the set with the final two points to take the opening frame. 
• Hartford jumped out to a commanding 10-0 lead in the second set behind three service aces from junior Rylee Miller (Sunriver, Ore.). SUNY New Paltz battled back with four straight points to cut the deficit to 11-4, but the Hawks responded with a 5-1 spurt to extend their advantage to 16-5. McCombs then took over from the service line, recording three straight aces to push Hartford's lead to 19-5. SUNY New Paltz mounted a late rally, scoring five of the next six points to pull within 20-10, but Hartford answered with three consecutive kills from senior Jordan Murphy (East Hampton, Conn.) before closing out the set, 25-12.
• Hartford and SUNY New Paltz battled back and forth throughout the early stages of the third set, with the teams tied at 10-10. The Hawks then began to pull away, using a strong stretch of play to build a 19-14 advantage. SUNY New Paltz attempted to close the gap late, but Hartford answered with a pair of kills from senior Miller to help secure the 25-17 set victory.

Post Match Press:
"I always learned to fight through everything. I have really good chemistry with everybody, especially my two outsides," said freshman Amara Rhodes (Merced, Calif.). "We have so much trust in each other and we can just read each other's minds so it has been really good to bounce back."

"New Paltz is a proud, well-coached team and a perennial power in the NY region," said head coach Johan Dulfer. "But tonight we were 2% better than they were and had them out of sorts for most of the night. I'm proud of how we kept pressure on them from the service line and won the serve/pass battle the way we did. Not many teams do that against New Paltz. Tonight we celebrate and tomorrow we get back to work!"

Inside the Numbers: 

• McCombs continued her strong play, leading the Hawks with 15 kills and 18.0 points while adding 13 digs. McCombs also recorded three service aces in tonight's win. 
• Murphy delivered an efficient performance at the net, finishing with nine kills on 13 attacks without an error for a .692 hitting percentage. Murphy also added four block assists to finish with 13.0 points.
• Rhodes guided the Hartford offense with 23 assists and added nine digs.
• SUNY New Paltz was led by Christine Balbona and Genevieve Carson, who each finished with six points. Carson recorded six kills, while Balbona added two kills, two aces and two block assists.
• The Hawks finished the match with a .176 team hitting percentage compared to .033 for SUNY New Paltz.
• Hartford held a 12-3 advantage in service aces.

Up Next
The Hawks will head to Danbury, Connecticut for a tri-match on Saturday, Sep. 19 against United States Merchant Marine Academy at 12:00PM, and Western Connecticut State at 4:00PM.

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