The Maritime College women's volleyball team played some of its best volleyball this season against William Paterson, but was unable to come out on top and fell 25-11, 25-19, 25-27, 25-9. The win moved the Pioneers to 19-4 on the season, while the Privateers fell to 6-14.

After setting the program record for kills in a match two days prior, Meredith Hayes (Houston, Texas/St. Agnes Academy) was on fire for Maritime once again, finishing with 17 kills and a .412 hitting percentage. The Houston, TX native picked up right where she left off by picking two kills and an ace in the first four points won by the Privateers. However, a big serving run from William Paterson in the middle of the set gave them a 19-5 lead. However, Maritime finished strong and was able to take some momentum into the second set.

Trailing 11-6 in the second set, the Privateers went on a four-point run to bring it to a one-point game. Meghan Eagleton (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) started to find her rhythm on the outside to compliment Hayes as the duo combined for four kills in six points as the set was still up for grabs 16-14. Unfortunately, a timely run from the Pioneers helped them escape with the second set victory 25-19.

Maritime continued to pick up its energy in the third set as they started to control the tempo of play for the first time in the match. Leading 9-6, Meredith Hayes (Houston, Texas/St. Agnes Academy) tallied three kills in the next six points to help the Privateers jump ahead 13-8. Looking to complete the sweep, the Pioneers battled back to take their first lead of the set at 17-16. However, Maritime battled back and ran four straight points for a 20-17 advantage. The back and forth match continued as William Paterson tied the set at 23. Following a kill from freshman middle blocker Celyna Custodio (Danbury, Conn./Danbury) at 25-25, the Privateers forced an attacking error and they stole the third set 27-25.

William Paterson didn't give Maritime any hope for a two-set comeback in the following frame as they quickly jumped ahead 12-1. The Privateers never gave up and played the Pioneers even the rest of the way, but wasn't able to mount a comeback and fell 25-9.

In addition to Hayes offensive prowess, Eagleton turned in one of her best performances of the season with 10 kills and a .308 hitting percentage. Custodio also tallied 10 kills while sophomore setter Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) dished out 38 assists. Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial) led the defensive effort with 19 digs and sophomorelibero Abby Solomos (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) played solid in the back line as well with 13 digs.

Maritime returns to Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium on Sunday for a Skyline Conference tri-match beginning at 11 a.m. The Privateers will take on USMMA and Farmingdale St.