BUFFALO, N.Y. – The D'Youville University Women's Volleyball team opened up at home with two 3-0 losses to Seton Hill University and Rollins College.

Game One – Seton Hill University 3 vs D'Youville University 0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)
Set One
Gameplay started even after a kill from Alex Darby (Huntington, WV / Spring Valley) tied the game at two, but the Griffins quickly pulled ahead jumping up 11-6. The Saints capitalized on a few Seton Hill errors to trail 16-10, but the Griffins went on a five-point run to jump up to 21-10 quickly. The Saints worked to come back with kills from Alex Darby, Cameron Ulinski (Parkland, FL / Marjory Stoneman Douglas), and Giselle Ramirez (Miami, FL / School for Advanced Studies), but the Griffins would hold on and take the first set 25-17.

Set Two
The Griffins again took the 13-9 lead to start the second set, but a kill from Darby and an ace from Ramirez brought the Saints within one at 13-12. The Saints hung in there, but the Griffins would put up ten straight points to take the second set 25-13.

Set Three
The Saints worked to remain in the game but found themselves closely trailing again. Two kills from Alex Darby brought the Saints within one at 13-12, but the Griffins hit their stride on offense posting a five-point run to pull ahead. The Saints continued to chip away and Giselle Ramirez notched the final kill or the Saints before the Griffins took set three 25-17 and the match 3-0.

Top Dog
Alex Darby led the way for the Saints on both sides of the ball. The Graduate Student led the team with nine kills and nine digs.

Game Two – Rollins College 3 vs D'Youville University 0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-20)
Set One
The Saints came ready to play in their second match of the day against Rollins College. The Tars and Saints both went back and forth for the lead in the beginning of the first set. DYU spread kills out across six different players to give them the 22-21 lead. The Tars fought back putting three points on the board to go up by two, but a kill and a service ace from Giselle Ramirez tied the game at 24. The Tars would get the final two kills to take set one 26-24.

Set Two
D'Youville took an early 5-2 lead in set two following a kill from Mitha Hatwar (Columbus, Ohio / Olentangy Liberty) but the Tars came back to tie the game at eight. Hatwar delivered another kill followed by a service ace to put the Saints back in the lead. Gameplay continued back and forth until the Tars had jumped up 21-16. The Saints went on a 6-2 run to trail by one ay 23-22, but the Tars would get two more points to win set two 25-23.

Set Three
The Saints and Tars kept play close in set three with the Saints trailing by 2 at 14-12 following a kill from Alex Darby. Rollins pieced together a five-point run followed by a three-point run to jump up 22-13. The Saints got three back before the Tars reached game point at 24-16. D'Youville's offense did not stop fighting all day and the Saints put together a four-point run to stay alive before Rollins would take set three 25-20 and the match 3-0.

Top Dog:
Mitha Hatwar was a key player in the second match of the day for D'Youville. The Sophomore setter recorded 27 assists along with three service aces and one block.

Up Next
The Saints are back for the second and final day of the D'Youville University Volleyball Tournament tomorrow. D'Youville will take on Gannon University at 12:00 PM followed by a matchup with Ursuline College at 4:00 PM.