BOXSCORE

FREDONIA, N.Y. - The New Paltz Hawks eliminated the Fredonia State Blue Devils from the 2010 SUNYAC tournament with a 3-1 victory at Dods Hall. 

The Devils took game one by a score of 25-19, but could not control the Hawks over the final three games as New Paltz won by scores of 25-22, 25-14, and 25-19.

In the second semifinal match, the Cortland Red Dragons, the No. 1 seed from the East Division defeated the Geneseo Blue Knights, who were the No. 2 seed from the West Division.

Cortland defeated the Knights by scores of 25-11, 25-12, and 25-18.

Fredonia State, the No. 1 seed from the West Division, held a comfortable lead throughout the first set, leading by as many as nine points. Jennifer Michelsen (Lakeview/Frontier) served six consecutive points early in the match to put the Devils ahead. The Hawks pulled within four down the stretch but could not stop the home team as they took set one. 
 
The second set saw a struggle for control throughout the match. Both teams traded leads before the Hawks pulled away after the Blue Devils tied the match at 13. 

Both teams began the third set exchanging leads once again. With the score even at 12, New Paltz found a way to pull ahead for the second consecutive set. The Hawks scored five straight points, and 13 of the matches final 15 points, to seal a 2-1 lead. 

Fredonia State jumped out to an early 7-1 lead in the fourth set, only to see New Paltz slowly chip away. Senior Kaitlin Erdmann (Randolph) did her best to keep her season alive, connecting on five kills and
three aces in the final set to bring the crowd to its feet, but the Hawks took a 13-12 lead and never looked back. 

Erdmann finished with 14 kills. Fellow senior Jenna Tatu (Tonawanda/Kenmore West) totaled seven kills and 12 digs while Sarah Zureck (Lancaster/St. Mary's of Lancaster) had 27 digs. Brittany Lis
(Lancaster) finished with 40 assists to pace the Devils. 

For the Hawks, Dana Kindelmann led the way with 12 kills. Melinda  DiGiovanna had 11 kills and 13 digs. SUNYAC East Division Rookie of the Year Marissa King led the team with 22 assists, and Michelle Jacobson had six aces. 

In the second seminfinal match, the Red Dragons were led by Ashley Coyle, who was named SUNYAC East Division Player of the year, with 14 kills and 11 digs, while Sheena Asibey contributed 10 kills. Kristen Guercio led the way with 30 assists and also added nine digs.

SUNYAC West Division Player of the year Krista Frieling led the Blue Knights with nine kills. Noelle Morrison, named SUNYAC West Division Rookie of the Year led Geneseo with 18 assists.

Cortland and New Paltz, both from the East Division, advance to face eachother in tomorrow's championship match set for a 2 p.m. start at Dods Hall.