Box Score New Paltz, NY —  In a weekend filled with 3-0 victories, the State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team capped off a full sweep of the SUNY New Paltz Tri-Match Sunday Afternoon, besting the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-11).
 
After a tough loss to the No. 1 ranked and reigning National Champion Springfield College Wednesday, the Hawks bounced back this weekend with two United Volleyball Conference (UVC) wins against Elmira College and the Engineers, as well as a win against Augustana College. SUNY New Paltz moves to 12-4 on the year, and remains undefeated in the conference at 4-0.
 
"UVC games mean everything to us," said Hawks junior setter Matthew Grace. "Starting off 4-0 is a great start, but we have to keep that going and keep that train moving. We had a great opportunity to bounce back and play some good volleyball after the tough loss against Springfield on Wednesday."
 
SUNY New Paltz came out flat in the first set against MIT, falling early 6-2. A kill by junior outside hitter Aaron Carrk at 7-4 brought the Hawks back in the game, creating a 7-1 run to give SUNY New Paltz the lead up 10-8, and force an Engineers timeout. 
 
With MIT close behind down one at 15-14, another kill by Carrk produced four unanswered points for the Hawks, raising their lead to 19-14. Pushing towards set point, a kill by junior middle blocker Nick O'Malley sealed the set for SUNY New Paltz at 25-18, and gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Taking jabs at each other early in the second with four different lead changes, a kill by senior outside hitter Bradley Schneider with the set tied at 10 sparked a 5-0 run for SUNY New Paltz, pushing the Hawks ahead, 15-10. It was the only boost they needed, as a 7-1 run at 16-12 put SUNY New Paltz up by double-digits at 23-13 with the set victory in sight. A 5-1 run by the Engineers at the end was not enough, as the Hawks went up 2-0 in the match with another 25-18 win.
 
SUNY New Paltz's offense was firing on all cylinders early in the third set, taking command early with a 10-2 lead. MIT had no answer, as a kill by Carrk pushed the Hawks lead up to 10 at 14-4, and a 5-1 run to put SUNY New Paltz up 22-8 gave them sole position of momentum in the match. The Hawks took the set 25-11, and the match 3-0.
 
"This weekend means a lot for where we stand in the UVC," said SUNY New Paltz coach Radu Petrus. "There's a better attitude and trust between teammates. We had great court discipline for the entire weekend, and there was overall a great team chemistry."

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