POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 21, 2015) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team will dive back into non-conference action Wednesday, heading down into New York City to take on Hunter College at 6 p.m. at the Hunter Sportsplex. The Brewers are coming off a 2-2 weekend in Liberty League action, sandwiching losses to Clarkson University and St. Lawrence University with victories against Union College and Skidmore College.

Match Details
Opponent: vs. Hunter College (4-4, 4-0 CUNYAC)
Links: (Union Women's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: New York, NY
Facility:  Hunter Sportsplex
Date: September 23, 2015
Time:  6 p.m.
Live Coverage: (Live Stats)
 
What To Look For
The Brewers have struggled with consistency this season, but that fact is understandable when thinking about the fact that Vassar is starting four newcomers and just one senior in libero Chloe Hallum (Olympia, WA/Olympia). There have been glimpses for VC, as evidenced by the Brewer's 3-1 win over Union College, who had earlier earned wins over ranked opponents Cortland State and Williams College. As the Brewers continue to get comfortable with each other offensively, look for more sustained success, especially on the attack side of the net.

A Look At The Hawks (4-4)
The scrappy Hawks of Hunter College have started out 4-4 this year, but have dropped their last two matches, falling to Muhlenberg College and Alvernia University over the weekend in Allentown, PA. The Hawks have started strong within the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), going 4-0 so far, having not lost a set within league action. The offense has been the main reason for the Hawks success so far this season, as they lead the CUNYAC in hitting percentage with a .157 attacking mark. Hunter's 10.78 kills per set also lead the way in the conference.
 
Individually, the Hawks have two offensive hitters that have carried the weight so far, as Taylor Haiduk-Kerr and Julia Connolly are No. 2 and No. 3 in kills per set in the CUNYAC. Haiduk-Kerr comes into the week averaging 3.30 terminations per game, posting 66 total kills, while Connolly is second in the league in kills with 76 and is finishing over 2.81 balls per game. Setter Miranda Hogan has dished out 7.33 assists per game and is second on the squad with 12 aces, while middle Samantha Barrett had a team-high nine rejections thus far. Haley Trunkett paces the Hawk defensive unit in digs, as her 100 on the year are a team-best, averaging 3.70 per game.
 
Against Hunter All-Time
The Brewers are 12-8 all-time against the Hawks, posting wins in seven of the last nine meetings between the two teams. Last season, the two teams met in Poughkeepsie, as Vassar captured a four-game victory.
 
The Gift of Gab
The Brewers have been lifted offensively by the work from junior Gabby Miller (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon). Miller chalked up 16 kills against both Union and Clarkson this weekend, which was just one kill shy of her career-best of 17 set back in 2013 against Skidmore College.
 
Sierra Nevada
Junior defensive specialist Sierra Tobin (Santa Cruz, CA/Santa Cruz) has continued to be solid in the back, as evidenced by her career serve receive percentage of .946, which is the best ever for a career at Vassar.
 
300 Strong
Freshman Devan Gallagher (San Francisco, CA/Urban School of San Francisco) is currently right on the edge of projecting to finish the season with 300 kills. If she gets to the mark, she would be the first newcomer since Chloe McGuire back in 2009 to accomplish that feat.
 
Now Serving
The Brewers come into the Wednesday match with Hunter with a serving percentage of .880, which is second all-time at VC, just .008 behind the all-time record at VC of .888 set back in 2006.
 
Great Option
Sophomore transfer Bria Corham (Kansas City, MO/Montville Township) has had some big games for VC, and comes into the week third in kills per set with 1.90, hitting .116 for the season.
 
Streak Over
Before Friday night's win over Union in four games, the Brewer hadn't defeated the Dutchwomen since 2012, ending a four-match stretch.
 
Up Next
Vassar gets nine days off before traveling to Rochester, NY for more Liberty League action at Rochester Institute of Technology Friday and Saturday, October 2-3. VC will take on Bard College and St. Lawrence University Friday evening, before finishing the weekend against RIT and Clarkson.