ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Freshman setter Matthew Grace (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) of the No. 2 State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team has been named the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Rookie of the Week for the period ending Jan. 29, announced by the league office on Monday.
 
Grace helped the Hawks to a 3-0 record in the Juniata Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28. The freshman averaged 10.64 assists per set as he dished out 31 assists against Thiel on Jan. 27 and followed that with 34 helpers versus Wittenberg and a career-high 52 against No. 15 Juniata in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory. Grace also averaged 1.27 digs per set.
 
This season, Grace is averaging 10.0 assists per set, which ranks second in the UVC and is tied for ninth in NCAA Division III.
 
This week, Grace and New Paltz (5-2 overall) will compete in the Nazareth Golden Flyer Invitational on Feb. 3-4 before hosting Alderson Broaddus and St. Joseph's of Long Island in a tri-match on Feb. 5 in the team's home opener.