By Tyler McCord, Staff Writer
Hofstra volleyball travelled to the Bronx to take on Fordham University and try to snap a four game losing streak on October 6.
Hofstra trailed for most of the first set, but tied it at 17 all on a kill from redshirt freshman Nikki Kinnier. The Pride would ultimately win the first set by a score of 25-21, scoring its last two points on attack errors committed by the Rams. Fordham went up 15-9 at one point in the second set and eventually topped the Pride 25-21 to even up the match at one set each.
Back came Hofstra in the third set as senior setter Rachel August closed out the set with a kill to win 25-21 and make it 2-1 in the Pride’s advantage. With a chance to win the fourth set and close out the match, Hofstra did not take advantage of the opportunity. The Rams took the fourth set setting up a fifth set to 15 points. The set was tied seven times, but Hofstra never led at any point and dropped the match. Graduate student Marina Markovic had her fifth straight match in double-figure kills with 18 and Kinnier contributed with 17 kills.
The Pride returned to Hempstead looking for its first CAA win of the season when Northeastern visited. The Pride led more than halfway through the set before an attack error committed by Hofstra gave Northeastern an 18-17 lead. From there the Huskies went on to outscore Hofstra 7-3 and win the first set 25-20. The Huskies would take the next two sets 25-21 and 25-23, sending the Pride to 0-5 in the CAA.
Tuesday night in the PFC, Hofstra faced NJIT in a non-conference match. The Pride was on a six-game losing streak heading in. The Pride was able to finish each set strong against the Highlanders. “It is a good step forward being able to finish,” Hofstra head coach Kristina Hernandez said. “We’re definitely making progress.”
Hofstra handled NJIT in the first set, winning by a comfortable margin, 25-18. The set ended on a kill from Markovic. A very timely kill from sophomore middle blocker Carolyn Jenkins put Hofstra ahead late in the second set and an attack error on NJIT sealed the win. Hofstra dominated the third set to win by a score of 25-16. “Hopefully this will boost our confidence a little bit” said Hernandez.
Ahead of Hofstra are two conference matches on the road against Georgia State and then UNC-Wilmington. “We need to be fast offensively,” said Hernandez. “That will be a big key to being successful this weekend.”