Box Score NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The No. 2 ranked State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team knocked off the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-19), in the Hawks' 2016 home opener on Friday evening.
The Hawks rise to 7-2 and head out on the road to play Ramapo College on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. SUNY Poly drops to 6-3 and opens its conference play against D'Youville College on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m.
New Paltz jumped out to a slight advantage in the first set but picked up steam as sophomore outside hitter
Anthony Bonilla (New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz) dished out five points at the service line for a large 12-5 gap. The Hawks continued to increase their lead until the Wildcats answered with five points of their own, but SUNY Poly would be unable to cut the deficit further as junior middle blocker
Steven Woessner (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) delivered the set-winning kill.
The Wildcats capitalized on a pair of New Paltz errors in the second set to take their first lead of the night (9-6). The Hawks easily trimmed the deficit before running ahead, 24-15. The Wildcats were able to grab one more point before junior middle blocker
C.J. Borfitz (Inwood, N.Y./Lawrence) notched the kill needed to close out the set.
Both teams traded early points in the third set before the Hawks surged ahead on a 12-3 run for a 16-8 advantage. The Hawks pushed their lead to 24-16 but were halted in their efforts, as the serve returned to SUNY Poly. The Wildcats served three straight points, but the win would ultimately go to New Paltz on another kill by Borfitz.
The Hawks hit .387 (35-11-62) for the night while holding the Wildcats to a .125 hitting percentage (21-13-64). New Paltz recorded a total of 13 service aces as a team.
Senior outside hitter
Andy Fishman (Cornwallville, N.Y./Cairo-Durham) led with six kills, hitting .417 (6-1-12), while Bonilla defended with seven digs and served up a career-high five aces. Sophomore setter
Mitchell Kennedy (Penfield, N.Y./Fairport) tallied 13 assists for the match with senior setter
Christian Smith (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) recording 12.
For the Wildcats, senior A.J. Davids paced the team with 11 kills and served up three service aces. Sophomore setter Zach Goggin recorded 20 assists while senior outside hitter/libero Dan O'Connor defended with seven digs.
