BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State women's volleyball team picked up their first win of the 2026 season, 3-0, downing 'Route 5' foe Hilbert Hawks.
GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 3, Hilbert College – 0
SET SCORES: (25-14, 25-9, 25-14)
LOCATION: Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 1-0 (0-0 SUNYAC), Hilbert College: 0-1 (0-0 AMCC)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Kate Rutigliano (Martinsville, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) led the Bengals with six kills, with Sophia Page (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) backing her up with five kills in her collegiate debut.
- Alex Arroyo (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East) and April Jakubowski (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) handled the playmaking in this bout, as Arroyo led the pack with 14 assists, while Jakubowski was not far behind with 13 assists.
- Delia Lake (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) and Rutigliano each finished with two total blocks at the net, while Hailey Kulniszewski led the Bengals with 16 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Making their season debut on their home court, the Bengals looked towards an early win over 'Route 5' rival, the Hilbert College Hawks. The first set would lean the Bengals' way, as their returners from last season led the way in Bengal fashion. Holding a ten-point set lead over the Hawks, the Bengals would rally four straight points, cruising to a first-set win.
- The second set would repeat the same pattern, with the Bengals leaving little to no room for the Hawks' attack throughout the game. A ten-point run by the Bengals would close the door on the Hawks, with a three-set sweep in play for this nonconference matchup.
- In the third set, the Bengals would start strong but would leave the door open for the Hawks, who'd find some momentum off a four-point run. However, the Bengals would regain their footing, rattling off nine straight points before closing out the matchup with the Hawks and sweeping in three sets.
FOR THE FOES
- Jazzelle McLean led the Hawks with five kills, while Lindsay Madigan would finish with nine assists for the Hawks.
UP NEXT
The Bengals will go on their first road trip of the season, as they make their way to Gettysburg, PA to take on Messiah University in the 'Gettysburg Invite', Friday, September 4
th at 7:30 PM.
