ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team clinched a spot in the Empire 8 Championship Tournament with a Senior Day win over visiting Hartwick College on Saturday in the Terry S. Galanis Family Arena.
The Saxons (12-15, 6-3 Empire 8) and Hawks (11-11, 6-3 Empire 8) exchanged the opening sets to go to the third set with a tied, 1-1 score. The Saxons would ultimately walk away with a 25-9, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23 victory.
"What an awesome conference win! It was even better to see our seniors celebrate Senior Day with a victory," Head Coach
Mike Honeycutt said. "We kept things thrilling in the fourth set and Julia's [Abbott] amazing kill wrapped it up. Since our starting setter was out today, we had a fun challenge, but Meeghan [Peterson] and Cat [Krause] stepped right in, leading our offense with so much confidence and energy."
Abigail Omelan (Tomball, TX/Tomball) led the match with 17.0 points on 14 kills and three aces. She added nine digs and one set assist. Omelan led three other Saxons to double-digit scoring as
Carleigh Santavy (Commerce, MI/Walled Lake Northern) totaled 15.0 on 12 kills, two aces and two block assists,
Cara Bratthauar (Chambersburg, PA/Chambersburg Area) scored 14.5 points on nine kills, five aces and one block assist and
Julia Abbott (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) hit nine kills, one solo block and one assisted block for 10.5 points. Santavy added a match-high 12 digs.
Meeghan Peterson (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville South) also had double-digit digs for AU, recording 11 while also leading the team with 20 set assists.
Catherina Krause (Pflugerville, TX/Hendrickson) contributed 17 set assists as well.
In pre-match ceremonies, the Saxons celebrated the careers (thus far) of the seniors and graduate student who are in their final season at Alfred University. Bratthauar, Santavy,
Madalynn McGowan (Corona, CA/Norco),
Shelby Baker (Geneseo, NY/Geneseo Central), Student Manager
Leah Marques and Graduate Assistant
Maddison Minyo were all celebrated by the team, as well as the three seniors for Hartwick College.
The Saxons will next host Finger Lakes Community College on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:00pm in an exhibition match before turning around and traveling to SUNY Brockport on Friday, October 30 for a 6:00pm Empire 8 matchup.
-- Swords Forward Saxons --
