Box Score Chicopee, MA-- The State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team (14-5 overall, 5-0 UVC) lost to Elms College (17-4) Friday, 3-1 (25-16, 25-19, 22-25, 25-16), ending its five game winning streak.
 
The Hawks struggled in the first set, calling two timeouts early as they couldn't get into a rhythm. SUNY New Paltz fell down 8-2 and couldn't get going as Elms College then strung together six consecutive points to push their lead to 22-11, putting the set out of reach for the Hawks as they lost, 25-16.
 
SUNY New Paltz started the second set with a purpose. The score stayed close early, as senior outside hitter Nick Smith tied the set at 7-7 with a spike assisted by freshman setter Cam Clark. Service errors by both teams then brought the score even again at 11. The two teams kept exchanging blows, as the score was tied up once more at 17. The Hawks weren't able to keep their lead throughout the set, and fell behind 23-18, forcing Hawks coach Radu Petrus into another timeout. It wasn't enough to spur SUNY New Paltz, as it lost the second set 25-19.
 
The third started very much like the first two sets, as the game was never decided by more than a few points. The Hawks took the lead thanks to a couple blocks by junior middle blocker Tevin Skeete. SUNY New Paltz grew in confidence, determined not to lose, and opened up a 15-9 lead, forcing the Blazers to talk it over. With a 21-15 lead, the Hawks allowed Elms to get a couple points back to make it 21-18, as Petrus called another timeout. The Hawks managed to take one back however, winning the set 25-22 forcing a fourth set.
 
The fourth set started well, as SUNY New Paltz took an 8-6 lead thanks to a spike by junior middle blocker Nick O'Malley. The Blazers immediately came back to take an 10-8 lead, and didn't stop firing on offense. Elms strung together three points to push its lead to 19-12, making a comeback hard for the Hawks, and closed out the set and the match, 25-16.
 
"We made too many mental mistakes in the game," said Petrus. "We didn't approach the game seriously, and after that it was too late," he added.
 
The Hawks travel away to play Springfield College next on March 13th at 6 p.m.

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