Cobleskill, N.Y. – The SUNY Cobleskill women's volleyball team extended their North Atlantic Conference (NAC) win streak to three matches Friday night, pulling out a thrilling five-set victory over Vermont State University–Johnson, 3-2 (25-18, 16-25, 25-22, 20-25, 15-9).

Emma Hinze (Altenburg, Mo.) led the way for the Fighting Tigers with a standout all-around performance, finishing with a match-high 14 kills, four aces, and 11 digs for 18 total points while hitting .286. Kathleen Smart (Nashville, Tenn.) added eight kills and a game-high 23 digs, while setters Baylee Kirschberg (Lindenhurst, NY) and Jade Ward (Miami, Fla.) balanced the offense with 15 and 14 assists respectively, each adding 11-plus digs on the defensive end. Libero Jojo Haycock (Bowie, Md.) anchored the back row with 15 digs, while Hallie Gasner (Middleburgh, NY) chipped in seven kills and four blocks, and middle hitter Ciarra Jager (Stephentown, NY) added four kills in a strong effort at the net.

As a team, Cobleskill totaled 48 kills to Johnson's 35 and finished with 37 assists compared to the Badgers' 26. The Tigers also controlled the backcourt with 86 digs to Johnson's 67, while the Badgers narrowly edged Cobleskill in service aces, 12-11.

The Fighting Tigers set the tone early, using a balanced attack to build a 12-8 lead in the first set behind two kills and an ace from Hinze. Johnson briefly tied the score at 14-14, but kills from Gasner and Kaleigh Capasso (Ballston Spa, NY) helped Cobleskill regain momentum. The Tigers closed the frame on a decisive 9-1 run, highlighted by a series of kills from Hinze, Gasner, and Kirschberg, to take the opener 25-18.

Johnson responded in the second set, racing out to a 12-1 lead before Cobleskill found their rhythm. A kill from middle hitter Audrey Davis (Hudson Falls, NY) helped close the gap to 14-7, and Smart and Gasner added key points to trim the deficit to 19-13. Despite the late push, the Tigers couldn't overcome the slow start and dropped the set 25-16.

Cobleskill regrouped in the third, opening with a 4-1 lead before Johnson surged ahead 17-13. The Tigers fought back behind two clutch kills from Smart to tie things at 21-21, then finished strong with four straight points capped by a Gasner ace to win 25-22 and reclaim the match lead.

The Badgers forced a decisive fifth set by taking the fourth 25-20. Cobleskill started well with a 7-4 lead behind back-to-back aces from Hinze, but Johnson responded with a mid-set rally to move in front 18-12. A late Cobleskill run, including a big block from Jager, narrowed the score to 24-20 before Johnson closed out the frame to even the match.

In the deciding fifth set, Cobleskill came out with energy and execution, jumping ahead 6-1 behind aggressive serving and front-line pressure. Johnson managed to close the gap to 12-9, but three straight Badger errors sealed the 15-9 win and the Tigers' third straight conference victory.

Up Next:
The Fighting Tigers return to action tomorrow, October 25, when they travel to Vermont State University–Lyndon for a 1 p.m. conference matchup.