Purchase, NY (Oct. 26, 2017) – The Purchase College athletics family said goodbye to seniors Katie Haynes and Alex Lally Thursday night, giving the two Panthers a proper sendoff in their final regular-season home matches.

Although Purchase still has two remaining matches on the 2017 schedule, tonight marked the last for the program at home. The coaching staff, players and the friends, family and loved ones of Haynes and Lally joined the campus community in honoring the two on Senior Night, as the Panthers welcomed non-conference opponent York College. York would go on to win the competitive match 3-0.

But despite the defeat, one where the Panthers were without three starters – Maura Gribbins (JR/Buffalo, NY), Kaitlyn Pillig (JR/Mamaroneck, NY) and Joetta Francis (SO/New York, NY), two of which were lost to injury – Purchase battled back and put together a hard-fought effort in honor or Haynes and Lally.  

"Our first senior came to us this year and she's been an impact player, both on and off the court," Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini, who MCed the festivities said of Haynes. "On the court, the middle blocker has been key to the team's development.

Panther head coach Albana Krasniqi Munrett, out on maternity leave, could not attend the Senior Night, but penned some memorable words for each of the seniors.

"Katie has been a big addition to our team this year. Great job as our middle, one of the best servers on the team. Great all-around player."  

Haynes was joined at center court by her boyfriend William Ruddy.

Lally, the team's long-time centerpiece followed.

"Our final senior has been the heart of the team during his college career at Purchase. She's a three-sport athlete, but volleyball is her primary sport, and we've been very happy to have her," Ciafardini said.

"Alex is like having another coach on staff but on the court with the girls," Munrett wrote in a speech Ciafardini delivered to the crowd. "She has been a big part of the program. She is always willing to help the team and do what is needed for the team.  She has played every position on the court. She will be greatly missed."

Lally, arguably one of the best women's volleyball players to ever suit up at Purchase, was joined on the court by her mother, Meredith, and grandmother, Eleanor, who made the trip from Texas to part of the ceremony. Her boyfriend, former two-sport Panther standout Riley Damerell, was also in attendance.
 
The festivities paved the way for an inspired first set. Purchase was outlasted 25-22 in a back-and-forth volley.
 
York recovered and won the second set, 25-13, but the Panthers were valiant in the third, jumping out to an 11-7 advantage. The Cardinals called a timeout, but Purchase remained steady throughout, taking an 18-9 lead late. The surge prompted another T.O. for York. This time, the Cardinals responded and tied the set 24-24. The two teams split the next two points, tying the score at 25-all before the Panthers jumped back in front 26-25.

With a large crowd on hand, one that included the members of the Purchase women's basketball team, York and the Panthers traded points once again. But York outlasted Purchase, 28-26, despite several highlight plays from Lally and Haynes down the stretch.  
 
Purchase received strong contributions from its starters Lally, Haynes, Isis Gonzalez (SO/New York, NY), Noelle Miller (SO/Chittenango, NY), Nyasia Harris (JR/South Fallsburg, NY) and Lumturja Huseinovic (JR/Brooklyn, NY).
 
The Panthers were paced offensively by Lally and her six kills. Haynes added three blocks, while Gonzalez contributed a team-best 24 digs. 
 
York was led by Allison Li and Christine Houston, who finished with seven kills apiece. 

Fans in attendance were also treated to a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by Harris, who sang to the crowd following the Senior Night festivities.  
 
In addition to Haynes and Lally, fellow senior Cynthia Plackis (SR/East Northport, NY), who could not attend tonight, was honored previously during a recent match. Read more here!
 
The trio, who received certificates from the SID office as well as tokens of appreciation from the coaching staff, will once again be recognized during the program's annual awards banquet in April.