The Hofstra University volleyball team concluded their two-day stop at the 2025 Black Knight Invitational in West Point, N.Y. with a doubleheader sweep. They defeated both Rider University and Binghamton University in four sets on Saturday, Sept. 6.
With two wins on the day, the Pride remain undefeated holding a perfect 4-0 record.
Clara Bal and Izadora Stedile led the Pride with 27 kills apiece across both games. Constanza Perez Sain trailed with 19 kills on the day, putting up four service aces against Binghamton in the team’s invitational finale.
The Pride opened their day with a 10 a.m. match against Rider, who took a defeat and left with a 1-3 record. Despite Hofstra holding an 18-11 score over Rider in the opening set, the Broncs came back on a seven-point streak and ultimately beat the Pride 27-25, kicking off both team’s second day at the Black Knight Invitational.
After the Pride’s slow start, their offense came alive in the next three sets, sweeping the Broncs in sets two through four. With final scores of 25-14, 25-13 and 25-11, four Hofstra players – Beatriz Braga, Bal, Stedile and Perez Sain – recorded double-digit kill counts in the earlier match.
In the back row, Nil Kayaalp has stepped up to be the Pride’s regular libero, recording a season-high 18 digs in the first game and 17 digs in the night cap.
Hofstra defeated Binghamton in both matchups this year, with closer win margins than Rider in the earlier match. Defeating Binghamton 25-23, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-19, the Pride dropped the Bearcats’ record to 1-5.
Nina Jioshvili-Ravva continues to dominate in her rookie season, earning a double-double in each match of the day with 64 total assists and 28 total digs.
After the Pride took the loss in the third set against the Bearcats, Hofstra recorded 16 kills in the fourth set to complete the sweep over all three teams they faced during the Black Knight Invitational.
Hofstra heads downstate to the Bronx for a two-match appearance at the Rose Hill Classic, hosted by Fordham University. The Pride open their next invitational against the Rams on Friday, Sept. 12.
