The Hofstra University volleyball team finished the 2024 Black Knights Invitational with a 2-1 record, ending in a 3-0 sweep over Sacred Heart University on Saturday, Sept. 14.

With another win on the road, the Pride has a 4-5 season record. Hofstra took pride in their defense, as the team only allowed a combined 21 kills in three sets against the Pioneers.

The Pride’s Izadora Stedile led the team with 12 kills and Emily Nunes led in blocks with 12 and Ellie Pamatat had 33 assists. Sacred Heart’s Allison Murray earned 10 kills and Gaby Zovko aided with 22 assists.

The first set started close, with both teams mounting points in a 9-9 game. A kill from Stedile and Beatriz Braga set up a five-point resurgence for a 16-10 lead. Hofstra continued to pound the ball over the net, finishing with five straight points to end the first set, which ended 25-15.

The first set win gave all the momentum to the Pride as they continued to mount to a 7-3 lead in the second set with a kill from Constanza Perez Sain. With a 12-8 lead for Hofstra, the Pride turned up the dial, scoring 13 straight points to end the match with a 25-8 win.

Sacred Heart did not go down without a fight. Hofstra dominated in the opening minutes of the third set with a 15-8 lead behind a service error from Zovko. Kills from the Pioneers’ Camryn Luginbuhl and Murray pulled Sacred Heart within reach of the Pride, the score 19-18. Hofstra then distanced themselves again after multiple attack errors from Sacred Heart to come within match point.

The Pioneers put together a comeback with multiple kills from Molly Newton, Murray and Luginbuhl, narrowing the lead to 24-23. A kill from Stedile ended the match and set 25-24, killing Sacred Heart’s attempted comeback.

With the win on the road, the Pride plans to return to Long Island and start Coastal Athletic Association play against Stony Brook University on Friday, Sept. 20, at 6:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Amelia Bashy