Alfred, NY – The Alfred State volleyball team took a loss to the Hilbert Hawks 3-2 (25-19, 25-18, 29-27, 25-14, 15-12) in what was a nail-biter. After the loss, Alfred falls to 10-9 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Leading the way for the Pioneers, Alayna Tomlinson had an outstanding game on both sides of the ball, registering a double-double with 17 kills and 26 digs. Tomlinson delivered four service aces as well. Gloria Stem followed with a double-double of her own on 12 kills and 17 digs. Erin Gregoire was a defensive force at the net, totaling three blocks on the day.

In the first set, the Pioneers started off cold as they were trying to settle into their offense. With a 20-10 gap to close, Alfred's momentum started to surge. Gregoire and Stem delivered two kills each, along with an Ava Wickes ace for the 5-0 run. After an error by Wickes, Stem laid down another kill and Caley Larsen an ace to shorten the deficit some more, 21-17. Despite the late rally by Alfred, Hilbert took the set 25-19.

Alfred's momentum continued into the second set with them trading the lead with Hilbert early on. When the score was dead even at 9-9, the Pioneers began to slowly pull away. Tomlinson and Becca Jackson took turns delivering kills for Alfreds offense until the final points of the set. Stem tallied the ace to close it off 25-18.

Both teams saw themselves in an all-out battle in the third set as neither side could gain the advantage. Hilbert had the early lead 7-4, but saw it disappear immediately from Tomlinson and Caitlyn Gilman delivering some kills. Immediately after, the Hawks struck back and gained the 10-8 advantage. However, Tomlinson struck again and was followed up with two service aces by Thurmond for the lead, 11-10. An ace by Alli Hillyard and Larsen further pushed the lead up more to 18-14.

The nail-biter of a set continued as both sides moved into an extended play, 25-25. Despite Thurmond tallying a kill to put the Pioneers up 27-26, the Hawks were able to gain momentum and win the set over Alfred.

The fourth set was a strong one for the Pioneers with them leading for a majority of it. Jackson and Tomlinson came alive for Alfred throughout as they racked up kills, bring the set to a close at 25-14.

In the deciding set, Alfred got off to a rough start. With a 13-5 gap to shorten, Pios began to play with urgency and applied the pressure to the Hawks. Stem registered three kills along with one each from Hillyard and Gregoire for a 13-11 game.

However, Alfred's late momentum fell short, costing them the set 15-12.

The Pioneers will go on the road next to face off against Penn State Altoona Lions. First serve is set for Saturday, October 18^th at 12pm.