SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Cortland women's volleyball team opened action at the two-day Skidmore Classic with a three-set loss to Hunter College. The Hawks (11-2) defeated the Red Dragons (6-9) by scores of 25-16, 25-21, 25-20.

Cortland will play two matches Saturday, facing Sage Colleges at noon and the host Thoroughbreds at 2 p.m.

Courtney Silberer (Centereach) and Nadia Moore (Durham, NC/Durham School of the Arts) led Cortland with seven kills apiece. Jessica Allen (Syracuse/West Genesee) added five kills and a team-high five blocks.

GabbyAmelio (Pine Bush) handed out 22 assists and added six digs. Alexandra Graff (Apex, NC) posted a team-high 15 digs.

Marlena Budna led Hunter with 11 kills and a .370 attack percentage. Miranda Hogan finished with 30 assists.

Cortland was within 17-14 in the first set before Hunter pulled away with a 5-0 run. In the second set, the Red Dragons trailed by only one at 21-20 after an Amelio kill, but Budna registered three of her kills during a set-ending 4-1 run. Cortland fell behind 16-6 in the third set before fighting back to within five at 20-15. Hunter took a 23-15 lead and led 24-17. Cortland fought off three match points and forced a Hawks' timeout, but Budna's kill following the timeout ended the match.