Wilmington, NC - Senior libero Chiara Cucco posted a match-high 17 digs and moved into second place all-time in program history in career digs as the Hofstra volleyball team defeated UNCW in four sets on Saturday afternoon at Hanover Hall. The win was Hofstra's eighth consecutive victory overall. 

Cucco now has 1,661 career digs in her illustrious career. She passed Shellane Ogoshi, who had 1,660 career digs from 2004 to 2007. 

Cucco tied for second late in the fourth set and moved into second place alone with a dig on match point. 

Constanza Perez Sain posted 14 kills and a season-high five blocks in the match to lead the way offensively, while Izadora Stedile posted 11 kills and nine digs. 

Hofstra upped its record to 12-6 overall and 8-1 in league play. The eight-match win streak is the 14th-longest in program history and the longest since a 12-match win streak in 2022. UNCW dropped to 5-11 and 2-7. Set scores were 25-22, 22-25, 25-14, and 25-15. 

The Pride hit over .400 in the three sets it won in the match, which contributed to a stellar .304 attack percentage for the entire contest. Hofstra put the match away with back-to-back dominating performances in the third and fourth stanzas, holding UNCW to .061 and .033 attack percentages, respectively. 

Beatriz Alves led Hofstra with 25 assists, while Ellie Pamatat added 21. Emilly Nunes was strong on both sides of the ball with eight kills (.583 attack percentage) and a match-high six blocks. 

Emma Chappell had 11 kills for UNCW, while Grace Melnick tallied 10 kills and five blocks.

The series will conclude on Sunday with a 1 p.m. first serve. The match will air on FloCollege. 

NOTES
- Hofstra improved to 34-7 all-time against UNCW. The Pride has won eight consecutive matches against the Seahawks. 
- Perez Sain led Hofstra in kills for the fourth time this season. 
- Cucco reached double figures in digs for the 27th consecutive match.