Hempstead, NY - Graduate student outside hitter Marina Markovic had 16 kills, a .412 hitting percentage and eight digs to lead the Hofstra Volleyball team to a four-set victory over Siena on Tuesday evening at the Physical Education Building.
Hofstra won by scores of 25-20, 25-13, 17-25 and 25-20 in improving to 10-19 overall. Siena falls to 5-17 with the loss.
Redshirt freshman outside hitter Nikki Kinnier added 10 kills and five digs, while sophomore middle blocker Carolyn Jenkins chipped in nicely with nine kills and six blocks.
Hofstra held a large 22-13 advantage in the first stanza following a block from Markovic and freshman middle blocker Ayesha Hein before Siena cut into the deficit and closed the gap to 23-20. That would be as close as the Saints would get, though, as Markovic took over from that point as she had a kill followed by a service ace on set point to give Hofstra the 25-20 victory.
Hofstra was never challenged in the second stanza as the Pride hit at an impressive .583 clip, with 15 kills on 24 attempts with just one error, in winning by a commanding 25-13 score. In fact, Hofstra's defense was nearly as impressive as its offense as the Pride held the Saints to a negative .042 hitting percentage in the second set. Markovic continued to lead Hofstra through two sets as she had five kills with no errors in the first set and then added six kills on 11 attempts in the second set.
Siena pulled away late in the third stanza as they used an 8-1 set-closing run to win the third set by the score of 25-17.
The Pride got back to its winning ways in the fourth set as they took the lead for good with two straight points after Siena had tied the score at 15. Jenkins had the first point and then an attack error by the Saints put Hofstra ahead 17-15. Siena cut the deficit to one on several occasions late in the set, but Hofstra scored five of the final six points in the stanza to win the set, 25-20, and take the match in four sets.
Sophomore libero Kylee Maneja picked up 13 digs for the Pride, while senior setter Rachel August added 41 assists.
Taylor Akana led Siena with 23 kills, while Leslie Akeo had 18 digs for the Saints
Hofstra returns to action on Friday when they host William & Mary at 5 p.m.
