HACKETTSTOWN, NJ --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College women's volleyball took the court Saturday in Hackettstown, New Jersey, for a pair of non-conference matches against the Centenary University Cyclones (3-7), falling to the hosts, 3-0 (25-5, 25-11, 25-7) and 3-0 (25-7, 25-5, 25-4).

Centenary set the tone in the opener, winning the initial 12 points and 21 of the first 25. The Cardinals upped their performance in the second set, as a kill by Cherub Autar and a Centenary attacking error cut the Cyclones' lead to six on two occasions. The six-point difference was the closest the Cardinals got in the second set, and the third stanza followed a similar pattern to the first two. With Centenary leading 4-3, they won 17 of the following 18 points, effectively ending the match. 

Despite the loss, Shamonie Miller continued her strong campaign, leading the team in points (3.5) and kills (3). Her 22 total attacks tied Ellma Hodzic's team-high this season. Along with Miller, Nadaysia Nivar recorded a kill and paced the match with seven digs. Meanwhile, Autar added a team-best two assists. 

The attacking presence of Alyssa Bizzarro, Mya Burnett, and Cameron Fulcher controlled the show for the Cyclones. Bizzarro had game-highs in points (12) and aces (6). Burnett recorded eight points, finished with a stout .294 hitting percentage, and had a game-best eight kills. Not far behind, Fulcher scored five points and totaled five kills of her own. Setting the play up, Kim Stallworth conducted the encounter with nine assists. 

Although Centenary controlled the match in kills, aces, digs, and assists, York recorded the only successful block, courtesy of a double effort by Miller and Nivar.

Centenary carried over their display into the finale. As York's seven points were the highest they scored in its second match of the day, kills by Autar and Andrea Wright cut into the Cyclones' advantage near the end of the first set. Wright's first set kill took her over double-digit kills, an impressive return for the newcomer. Remaining in the second stanza behind only 10-5, the Cyclones pulled off 15 consecutive points. Level 3-3 in the third period, the Cyclones' 19-straight points secured the sweep to secure the victory. 

The aforementioned Wright was all in on the action, leading the team in points (5), kills (2), and aces (1). Indeed, her third-set ace was the Cardinals' only one on the day. Additionally, Wright paced the match with two blocks, as she had the match's only kill. Autar had team highs in assists (2) and digs (2) and added a kill in the first set. Miller also recorded an assist, along with her two digs and one kill.

Centenary had a more balanced attack in the second leg, as five players tallied seven points or more. Martina Josifoska had game-bests in aces (12), points (12), and digs (5). Mya Burnett totaled 10 points, and 10 kills, finishing with a high .692 hitting percentage. Bizzarro and Fulcher had nine points each, including nine kills for Fulcher. Setting up her teammates, Arianna Morillo finished with 13 assists. 

Similar to the first match of the doubleheader, the Cyclones controlled the points battle (56-7) and had more aces (24-1), kills (32-4), and assists (26-3) than the Cardinals. As Wright's length produced the only two blocks of the second leg, enthusiasm is high for the promising freshman to generate more points.

The Cardinals (0-8) remain on the road Thursday (Sept. 29) for a non-conference matchup against the Saint Elizabeth University Eagles (1-8). The match begins at 6 p.m., and the teams will play at Saint Joseph Hall in Morristown, New Jersey.

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