Hoboken, NJ (10/3/08)  –The Montclair State volleyball team dropped its first two matches at the Ducks Invitational held at Stevens on Friday. The Red Hawks dropped a five-set decision to Cortland before falling 3-0 to St. Mary's (MD).

KAREN MARTIN (Sicklerville, NJ / Washington Township)  had 16 kills and seven service aces for MSU in the two matches as MSU is now 11-8 following the losses.

Cortland 3, MSU 2 (18-25, 21-25, 25-13, 27-25, 25-10)
The Red Dragons battled back down two games to take the third, fourth and fifth deciding set to pull out the victory and improve to 13-6 on the year. Cortland was led by senior setter Brittney Horton (Owego, N.Y.), who connected on 39 assists and lifted six digs in the win. Freshman outside hitter Ashley Coyle (Mt. Hope, N.Y.) landed nine kills, four aces, six blocks and posted 14 digs, while junior right-side hitter Ariel Rakita (Lake Grove, N.Y.) notched 13 kills and 18 digs for the Red Dragons.

Montclair was headed by junior middle blocker KARA BURNHAM (Moorestown, N.J.), who recorded 14 kills and three blocks in the loss. Sophomore outside hitter DEVON JOHNSTON (Moorestown, N.J.) finished with seven kills, nine digs and an ace, while junior outside hitter Martin totaled 11 kills, 12 digs and three aces as the Hawks fall to 11-7 on the year.

St. Mary's (MD) 3, MSU 0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-17)
In the loss to the Seahawks, MSU was led by Johnston, who collected nine kills, eight digs, two blocks and a service ace. Martin followed with seven kills and a pair of digs. Junior middle blocker ANNA CHESNAKOVA (East Brunswick, N.J.) posted two kills and four blocks. The Red Hawks will take on the loser of the Cortland and CCNY match up at noon.