Hartwick College Student-Athletes Earn Empire 8 Women's Volleyball All-Conference Honors

A total of four Hawks from the Hartwick women's volleyball team have been selected for Empire 8 All-Conference honors for their standout performances this season, the conference announced Nov. 13.

Senior Braelyn Hornick of Candor, N.Y., received a third consecutive First Team All-Conference selection for contributions as a setter. This season, Hornick has been an integral part of the Hawks' attacking formation, leading the Hawks with 745 assists to bring her career total to 2,797 and climbing. Hornick also tallied 49 kills and 30 aces this season. On defense, Hornick collected 177 digs and 20 total blocks.

Beside Hornick on the All-Conference First Team is fellow senior Shelby Swartz of Candor, N.Y. This is Swartz's first time earning All-Conference First Team honors, having been previously named to the Second Team last year and the Third Team in her sophomore season. Swartz led the team in kills this year, totaling 348 while also managing 31 assists and 52 blocks. She also ranked second on the team with a total of 283 defensive digs.

Sophomore standout Lucille Walker of Ithaca, N.Y., earned Second Team honors. Walker exploded for 272 kills and snagged 14 assists. Walker was also unshakeable at the net, ranking second on the team with 69 total blocks. This is Walker's first ever All-Conference recognition.

Rounding out the Hawks' All-Conference selections is junior middle hitter Isabella Gracias of Oneonta, N.Y., who earned Third Team recognition for the first time. Gracias held down the defense with 75 crucial blocks and 30 digs and on the offense, ranked second on the team in kills with a total of 282.

In addition to the All-Conference selections, the Empire 8 has also named senior Mary Kinnane of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., as Hartwick's representative for the Empire 8 Tomorrow's Leaders Team, an honor given to those who have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits of an outstanding sportswoman.