Box Score

New Paltz, N.Y.-- The State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team (21-7 overall, 8-1 UVC) swept Kean University (22-6) on Senior Day at the Hawk Center Saturday.

The Hawks took a 3-0 win over the No. 4 ranked team in the nation (25-17, 25-21, 25-16) in what was their last regular season game of 2019 season. SUNY New Paltz now gears up for postseason play with the United Volleyball Conference Tournament starting April 13. 

"Great team win you know. Cam [Clark] stepped in for Matt [Grace], that was big for us, and everybody jelled really well," said Hawks senior Nick Smith, who ended the game with a game-high 15 kills.

SUNY New Paltz seniors Smith and Bradley Schneider had an outrageous game, spurred by their family and friends in attendance. Schneider finished with nine kills and Smith put on his usual dominating performance.

"This was one of the most fun games I've ever played in as a Hawk," said Hawks senior Bradley Schneider. "It was great to come out and get a win against Kean on senior night, no better time than that."

The Hawks took control in the first set early, forcing the Cougars into a timeout at 7-4. A service ace by junior outside hitter Aaron Carrk put the Hawks up, 19-12. Two kills late by Smith then gave the Hawks the first set, 25-17.

Smith couldn't make a mistake in the second, as he accumulated 14 kills in only the first two sets, committing only one error throughout the entire game. The Cougars tried to stay within striking distance, but could not make a push late. A kill by Cougars Jay Bynum made it a one-point set at 20-19, but a four-point run by the Hawks helped them get a leg up in the match.

In the third another ace by Carrk, who had four on the night, put the Hawks up 11-6. Powered by the home crowd, SUNY New Paltz capitalized on some Cougars service errors and bad defense to run away with the match and the game, 25-16, and give the fans what they all came for.

"We're peaking at the right time, this is the best volleyball we've played all year," said Schneider. "We're just looking forward to keeping that rolling into UVCs and the NCAAs."

The Hawks, who earned a No. 2 seed in the UVC playoffs, earned a first round bye and will play in the semifinal round of the conference tournament April 13 at Stevens Institute at 5 p.m.

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