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Captain's Classic - 9/3 & 9/4

Newport News, Va. - The River Hawks finished strong in the four match Captain's Classic tournament hosted by Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia this weekend; starting the season off 2-2. "Getting back on the court after such a long time and seeing us back in real competition [was the highlight of the weekend]," said head coach Kuuipo Tom.
 
Illinois Wesleyan (4-1)
The Hawks came out strong with a 25-18 victory in the first set of their first action of the year. However, Illinois Wesleyan swung their way into the match and SU dropped the next three sets (22-25, 21-25, 14-25). The Hawks dominated at the net with nine blocks to IWU's one; with five blocks from senior Paige Sfiroudis and three each for Riley O'Dowd and Brooke Lacesa. Rosina Esposito had sixteen kills and O'Dowd and Lacesa each had eleven. In the back court, Lizzie Herestofa had 28 digs for the match with Esposito and sophomore Maddy Kempski combining for seventeen more.
 
Christopher Newport (3-2)
In the second match of the double-header against CNU, the River Hawks again started strong  taking the Captains to extra points (25-27) in the first set. The Hawks took the second (25-19) and third (25-23) sets by out-swinging the Captains. However, the momentum shifted in the fourth set (17-25) when CNU had 15 kills to SU's five. A late setter substitution of freshman Keira Roach in the fourth set gave the Hawks a boost that carried into the fifth set; but the Captains swung away with four times as many kills as SU to take the deciding set (10-15).
 
Lynchburg (1-2)
Starting Saturday with a back and forth battle, the River Hawks ended the first set (28-26) decisively at the net. In set two, SU settled into their game for a steady (25-20) win. However, the Hornets were ready to sting in the third and snagged the set (17-25). Led by big swings from Esposito and solid defense in the back row by Herestofa, the Hawks finished what they started in set four (25-20) to take the match.
 
Cabrini (0-3)
Cabrini had made a number of comebacks in earlier matches, so the Hawks needed to take an early lead to stay ahead of the final opponent of the weekend. The first sweep of the season (25-19, 25-17, 25-13) saw a number of strong serves from SU that kept the Cavaliers out-of-system. Freshman Ryan Rorls made a dominant collegiate debut with five kills in set three alone.
 
Susquehanna Spotlight
Veteran players were ready to impart traditions and get back on the court after almost a two-year competition hiatus due to the pandemic. Senior libero Lizzie Herestofa and junior outside hitter Rosina Esposito, both team captains, were named to the all-tournament team.

Both freshmen and sophomore River Hawks saw the floor in their debut collegiate competition this weekend. Sophomore setter Madison Rockey, who led the team in assists, was most impressed by "seeing how well we adapted to a new environment for the first game of the season." Freshman Amanda Gore - who earned a quinfecta tallying up positive stats for aces, assists, blocks, digs, and kills - is ready to continue taking on the competition. "We fight until the end," she said. "No matter the results, never doubt our abilities. We are gritty and persevere."

More statistical updates to come later....

Up Next

• The River Hawks return home on September 10th host The Battle of the SU's this weekend at the James W. Garrett Sports Complex. 

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