BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State women's volleyball team fell to the New Paltz Hawks, 3–1, in their final SUNYAC matchup of the regular season but clinched a berth in this year's SUNYAC Playoffs.

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: New Paltz - 3, Buffalo State - 1
SET SCORES: (25-27, 25-23, 17-25, 23-25)
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: (13-14, 5-4 SUNYAC), New Paltz: (15-11, 6-3 SUNYAC)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Ella Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Springville Griffith) led the Bengals with a team-high 14 kills, while Nicole Delli Colli (Rye, NY/Rye) followed closely behind with nine kills in support.
• Alex Arroyo (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East) orchestrated the Bengals' attack with 17 assists, while Karlie Shaffer (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown East) added 13 assists.
• Defensively, Hailey Kulniszewski (Elma, NY/Iroquois) led the Bengals with 17 digs, with Wittman adding 10, while Delia Lake (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) played strong in front of the net, tallying a team-high, two blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Riding a five-match winning streak, the Buffalo State Bengals looked to close out their SUNYAC regular season in strong fashion as they hosted the New Paltz Hawks at home.
• In the opening set, both teams came out firing, trading points in a fast-paced exchange before a five-point run gave the Hawks the upper hand. The Hawks followed with another surge of five straight points, but the Bengals responded with a four-point rally to stay within reach. Late in the set, the Bengals battled back with a five-point run to take the lead, but the Hawks closed strong—scoring three straight points to narrowly take the first set.
• The Bengals bounced back in the second, opening with a dominant five-point run to seize early control. While the Hawks capitalized on a few Bengal miscues to climb back, a late seven-point surge from the Hawks brought the set within one. Refusing to repeat the first set's outcome, the Bengals held firm down the stretch, regaining momentum to secure the second set and even the match.
• In the third frame, the Hawks regained control, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back. Their consistent attack and clean execution overwhelmed the Bengals, who couldn't generate sustained rallies as the Hawks closed out the set convincingly to take a 2–1 advantage.
• The fourth and final set mirrored the intensity of the opener, with both sides trading extended runs. A five-point rally midway through gave the Bengals the edge, seemingly setting the stage for a decisive fifth set. However, the Hawks answered with a six-point burst to reclaim the lead, and despite several late chances for the Bengals to push it further, the Hawks held on to take the fourth set and the match.
• Despite the loss, there was still reason for the Bengals to celebrate. Combined with yesterday's win over Oneonta and results elsewhere across the conference, The Bengals officially clinched a spot in the SUNYAC Playoffs, matching the program's longest streak of consecutive postseason appearances.

FOR THE FOES

• Reagan Dyba powered the Hawks' offense with a team-high 14 kills, while Kim Braun orchestrated the attack with a game-high 36 assists.
• On the defensive end, Braun also led the team with 18 digs, while Lola Konopa, Lexi Stragalas, and Nora Keating each contributed two blocks to anchor the Hawks at the net.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will hit the road next Saturday, traveling to Rochester to compete in the University of Rochester Tri-Match. Buffalo State opens play at 12:00 PM against the University of Rochester before closing out their 2025 regular season with a 2:00 PM matchup against Union College.