Box Score Annandale-On-Hudson, NY - The State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team dropped their opening United Volleyball Conference matchup to Elmira College in five sets 25-17, 20-25, 19-25, 25-18, 15-10.
Coming off their dominant home-opening win against SUNY Polytechnic, the Hawks continued their offensive momentum into the opening set as they dominated the net racking up 15 kills on 22 attempts with only two errors. However, the Soaring Eagles were able to bounce back in the second with an offensive outburst of their own totaling 14 kills on 22 attempts with two errors to even up the match.
The third-set started out back and forth, but up 21-19 Elmira College was able to string together four-straight points to close out the set and put themselves one set away from taking out SUNY New Paltz. With their backs against the wall the Hawks stepped up and jumped out to a 7-3 lead thanks to three service errors from the Soaring Eagles. Back-to-back three point runs from each team pushed the score to 10-6. A few points later, a kill by
Aaron Carrk capped another string of three staright points for SUNY New Paltz and gave them a commanding 15-9 lead. Elmira College attempted to close the gap, but two kills in the final eight points by senior outside hitter
Ben Cohen forced the fifth and deciding set.
The fifth-set began with both teams trading points, and at 8-8 the match was up for grabs. The Soaring Eagles were the first to strike and go on a run thanks to back-to-back kills by Jose Malave. The Hawks answered right back and closed the score to 10-11, but just like the third set, Elmira College was able to win four straight points and take the match.
Nick Smith and
Bradley Schneider led SUNY New Paltz offensively on the outside with 16 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore setter
Matthew Grace once again distributed the ball throughout the offense tallying 42 assists. Grace also led the defense with 11 digs for a double-double on the day, and sophomore libero
Robert Nolan wasn't far behind with nine of his own.
The Hawks have a chance to rebound from the loss tomorrow when they take on the host, Bard College, at 1:30 p.m.
