HAMILTON, NY-After a quick 2-0 start to the season Thursday night, the Southern Vermont College Volleyball program needed less than 24 hours to improve their record to 4-0. Friday afternoon SVC traveled to Hamilton College to play in the Hamilton tournament against SUNY Canton and Sage. After losing the first set to SUNY Canton the Mountaineers won the next six to finish the day with two match wins.
In the first match of the afternoon SVC beat SUNY Canton by the score of 3-1. After falling 23-25 in the first set they would rally to win 25-15, 25-12, and 25-13. Hershey Canta led the Mountaineers both offensively and defensively. Canta recorded 26 assists in the first match, and also picked up 25 digs. Jessica Alvarez also contributed on the offensive side for SVC with 13 kills, and Alicia Manzo hit for a .318 hitting percentage.
Southern Vermont then took on Sage College in the nightcap winning 3-0. The Mountaineers won by the scores of 25-16, 25-16, and 25-23. Alvarez and Manzo once again had a major impact on the SVC offense as Alvarez recorded 13 kills and five service aces, and Manzo connected on eight attacks for a .421 hitting percentage. Canta led SVC with 24 assists as three Mountaineers recorded double digit digs. Alvarez led the team with 13 digs, Canta had 10, and Joanna Hogue picked up 12 digs.
"Together is just a word, and it's an act we are trying to execute. Tonight we did well with being together," said Head Coach Josh Stokes. Stokes has the Mountaineers off to the best start in Southern Vermont history.
Southern Vermont will continue the Hamilton tournament tomorrow, Saturday the 3rd when they take on Plattsburgh State and tournament host Hamilton College.