The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team is looking to earn another State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship title and make a deep run onto the NCAA tournament in 2019. The Hawks finished last season with a 27-9 overall record and 8-1 in the SUNYAC, while bringing home the program's third conference title.
After defeating rival SUNY Geneseo last year in the SUNYAC championship, the Hawks moved onto the NCAA tournament in Providence, RI to take on Franklin and Marshall College in the first round and swept the Diplomats, 3-0. The Hawks later took on then No. 2 nationally ranked Johnson and Wales University and fell 3-0, which put an end to their 2018 run. 
After last year's NCAA loss, there is no doubt SUNY New Paltz's goal in 2019 is not only winning the SUNYAC championship in back-to-back years, but to also make a deep run into the NCAA tournament. The team is determined to accomplish more and build off last season. Hawks coach Matt Giufre, who is entering his 18th season at the helm, is looking forward to significant outcomes from his squad.
"Our expectations are the same every year. We've got a really talented group of 18," he said. "We are really trying to make one solid championship team unit. You want to win the conference and make the NCAA tournament.That stuff is way down the road. We are just trying to get a little bit better by getting a little more in sync with one another, trust and communicate better with one another to make sure we play our best volleyball."
The reigning SUNYAC Champions were recently ranked No.1 in the SUNYAC volleyball preseason poll with 81 points, followed by SUNY Geneseo with 72 points and The College at Brockport coming in with 56 points.
Despite graduating two key seniors from last year's squad, which included All-Region selections in setter Meredith Dignan and outside hitter Taylor Cimilo, SUNY New Paltz brought in six talented incoming students athletes into the fold who are primed to make an immediate impact.
"They have been great so far," said Giufre of his six newcomers. " In practices, they have really elevated the quality of play in the gym. If I go to them, I expect them to play well. There is a big learning curve. They have been a little bit streaky, just like any other new player. We'll see two of them out there this weekend in the starting lineup. Courtney [Gebhardt] and MaKenzie [Bills] will be out there this weekend. If I call out any of the other ones, they have to play with confidence and realize that they are out there playing against college level players. I expect them to have a lot of bumps down the road."
SUNY New Paltz is set to open up the season in Scranton, PA for the Scranton Invitational Aug. 30 and Aug. 31. The Hawks will battle the University of Scranton, U.S Coast Guard Academy, and Rochester Institute of Technology, respectively. They will then open up at the Hawk Center for the annual Hawks Invitational Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.
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