GETTYSBURG, PA – Susquehanna University women's volleyball opened their 2024 season this weekend at Gettysburg College's Battlefield Tournament. While the opening matches Friday resulted in 3-0 defeats to nationally-known Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Eastern, the River Hawks went into Saturday morning with plenty of energy, bolstered by a five-set, come-from-behind win over Southern Virginia.

Junior Kyndall Mason was recognized to the All-Tournament Team after totaling 15 kills and 23 digs through four matches and 14 sets played. Susquehanna closed out its stay against the host Bullets in a 3-0 defeat.

While Friday's three-set opener with UWEC resulted in a .041 attack percentage, the River Hawks worked that number up in the nightcap against RV Eastern at .146, led by Emily Kowalski netting 11 kills and just three errors for a .267 percentage. Susquehanna scored at least 20 points in two of the three sets in each of Friday's contests, including 23 in the third frame against Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

With these core values in place Susquehanna looked to put the final pieces together going into day two Saturday, starting against Southern Virginia. The script appeared to be unchanged with the Knights taking the first two sets convincingly, 25-18 and 25-12. SVA reeled off four consecutive points to lead 18-15 late in the third set, but the River Hawks would not go down without a fight as they answered with three straight to tie the frame at 18. The Knights responded similarly to retake the lead at 21-18, only for SU to run off three straight again and six of the next seven. Brie Livezey added the finishing touch, pushing one into no-man's land to extend the contest.

Susquehanna held a firm grip in the fourth set on its way to a 25-18 victory, highlighted by a five-point run that put them in control with a 12-5 lead. They eventually got it up to as high as 19-10 off three straight points. The deciding set would not come as easy, as Southern Virginia looked to knock off the comeback bid with an early 5-1 lead. After a Susquehanna timeout the orange and maroon bounced back to tie things up at five. Though the Knights added the next two points, the River Hawks connected for three more points and eventually moved into position to win leading 12-10. SVA looked once more to regain control cutting it to 12-11, but its ensuing service error laid the final ground work for Susquehanna's comeback win as Kowalski provided the last two kills to clinch a 15-11 win.

Kowalski finished the weekend totaling 43 kills, averaging 3.07 per set for a .290 attack percentage. Keira Roach set her way to 80 assists with 34 digs, while tying with Amanda Gore for eight service aces. Kowalski had five total blocks, while Gore had four. Jessica Sack had 63 digs.

The River Hawks head to Baltimore for two occasions over the next two weeks, beginning with a road match at Notre Dame (Md.) Saturday, Sept. 7, then the following weekend at Johns Hopkins' Giovanazzi Memorial Tournament where they'll face the host #4 Blue Jays, #19 Ithaca and Marymount.