COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL: OWEGO’S PALLADINO TO JOIN HARTWICK SPIKERS (2023-06-06)

By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
OWEGO — Sophia Palladino put together an impressive volleyball career at Owego and hopes to extend that success at Hartwick College.

Palladino was one of 12 Indian athletes who signed Tuesday to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

“I chose Hartwick College because when I first met the team I felt like I fit right in, the players and coaches are amazing and fun people,” she said. “Hartwick also has a gorgeous campus with a great view, along with a strong education program.”

The Hawks are coming off a 20-5 season in which they posted an 8-1 Empire 8 Conference record and finished as the E8 tournament runner-up.

Palladino is confident she can help the team continue its recent success.

“I believe I’ll be able to bring my strengths on the volleyball court to the collegiate level,” she said.

“I'm excited to see what Sophia is going to do for Hartwick's volleyball program,” Owego head coach Abbey Manning said. “They are an upcoming program and adding Sophia to the roster will only help them. She is competitive, willing to learn (coachable) and she will give that 110 percent that is needed to compete at the highest level she can.

“She supports her teammates and she wants to be in the gym as much as she can/is allowed; both getting better at volleyball and getting physically stronger and quicker. I know she will do good things for that program, and I know myself and her high school/club teammates are excited to see those good things being accomplished!”

There will be some familiar faces on the Hartwick court with Palladino. Former Candor standouts Braelyn Hornick and Shelby Swartz are on the roster, as is former STAC foe Niah Reeves from Chenango Valley.

Palladino will major in Early Childhood Education.