SWEET BRIAR, Va. — First-year Sophia Kane earned Most Outstanding Performer honors as the Vixens swept New Paltz 5-0 on the flat to earn a 7-3 home victory over the Hawks at the Harriet Howell Rogers Riding Center on Friday morning.
 
The Hawks earned a 3-2 advantage over fences, but Sweet Briar responded with five rides of 80 or higher on the flat to sweep the visitors.
 
Junior Katie Balding (Williamsburg, Va.) was the first Vixen to ride on flat, posting an 88 on Luciano that held up for a team point after a 68 by New Paltz rider Katherine Brantmeyer. Balding was followed by an 81 by sophomore Maggie Fraley (White Haven, Pa.), who topped Dominique Gago by 10 points on Mulligan.
 
The second round of flat rides saw Kane (Carbondale, Colo.) record an 83 on Dance, finishing 13 points ahead of Brynley Smith. Kane's MOP honor is the first of her collegiate career.
 
Junior Lily Peterson (Ashland, Va.) rode Cardino to an 81, winning the team point against Elizabeth Jacoby's 60. The final ride of the day saw sophomore Britt Larson-Jackson (Washington, D.C.) score an 80 on Emmett, finishing ahead of Madeline Berg's 72.
 
Fences opened with a 77 from Fraley on Dimitri, followed by a 70 from Peterson on Asher. Peterson's score held up to defeat Dominique Gago by one point to earn a fences point for the Vixens.
 
Balding rode Dorado to a 75, while Kane topped Brantmeyer 76-68 on Buddy.
 
Sweet Briar will next compete on October 18 at Auburn. The Vixens are scheduled to compete against Auburn, TCU and New Paltz across October 18 and 19.