ALFRED, NY – The St. John Fisher University women's volleyball team defeated Alfred University, 3-0, Friday night, securing the top seed in the Empire 8 conference for the fourth season in a row. The win elevates the Cardinals to a 15-6 overall record, including an 8-0 record in the Empire 8 Conference.

In the first set, Fisher would go on a 10-2 run to take a commanding 19-8 lead. The run included two kills from Lindsey DeBonis and two aces from Katie Leaty. Later in the set, with their backs against the wall, Alfred would go on a 7-4 run to close the gap to 24-15. A kill from DeBonis iced the first set by a final of 25-15.

The Cardinals would open a 12-6 lead in the second set, before three attack errors over six plays slimmed the Cardinal lead to four, with the score 14-10. Fisher would rattle off seven of the next nine points, led by kills from Kristen McIntosh, Sydney French, and DeBonis. Back-to-back aces from Brooke Segars would round out the second set by a 25-14 score.

Looking to sweep Alfred, Fisher opened a 15-7 lead in the third set. A 6-2 run from the Cardinals brought the score to 21-9. Back-to-back kills from Brandy Morrison capped the 25-15 win in the third set over the Saxons.

Kiana Walker led the Cardinals with nine kills, four of which came in the third set. Walker added four points from the service lines as well, tying her season high, which she accomplished on Oct. 12 against Nazareth College. Kiera Hartpence, the player of the week to watch would finish with 20 digs and five assists on the night.

Fisher will return to action Saturday with their final Empire 8 matchup of the regular season at Elmira College.

The win means that the Empire 8 tournament will be at the Manning & Napier Gymnasium at St. John Fisher University for the fourth consecutive season. The success is backed by a season driven by sheer dominance in the conference. Fisher ranks first in assists (11.13 AVG/S), kills (11.93 AVG/S), and aces (2.90 AVG/S), and second in hitting percentage (.217) in the Empire 8.

Meanwhile, the defense, which is led by the first-year Hartpence, ranks first in opponent hitting percentage (.134) and opponent service aces (1.41 AVG/S), and second in blocks (1.41 AVG/S) and opponent kills (9.75 AVG/S).

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