The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team is looking to make a comeback this weekend after losing its opening three matches of the season at the Scranton Invitational Aug. 30 and 31.
 
The Hawks totaled 37 service errors and a .138 hitting percentage at Scranton. Despite the low turnout, SUNY New Paltz is determined to improve those numbers at home. 
 
"Since this past weekend our team came into the gym focused on our attitude," said Hawks junior middle hitter Demi Herasme. "I felt like it was a tough three games and we really just had to come in and refocus in the beginning of the week. On the court, we had to work on our serving and serve receive. Within these past couple of days, coach has really been implementing those things". 
 Although the first three matches didn't go in favor for SUNY New Paltz, the Hawks will continue to build on their successful team chemistry on the court.
 
"Some strategies that worked really well for us were setter-hitter connection," added Herasme. "We have two new setters who I think did a really good job. Our offense is just unstoppable when we have a good ball, so we're just going to keep working at that for this upcoming weekend."
 
SUNY New Paltz is scheduled to host the annual Hawks Invitational Sept. 6 and 7. This year's tournament will include six other teams: SUNY Oneonta, Mount Saint Mary College, Williams College, Hamilton College, and Alfred University. The Hawks will only play four of those teams. 
 
SUNY New Paltz will battle Kean University and Hamilton College Friday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. On Saturday, the Hawks will face off against Alfred University at 11 a.m. and Williams College at 3 p.m. 
 
The last time SUNY New Paltz played the Cougars was back on Sept. 1, 2017, which concluded with a 3-2 loss for the Hawks. Kean University comes into the tournament having a 3-1 overall record. 
 
The two most recent opponents the Hawks encountered at last year's Hawk Invite were the Continentals from Hamilton College and Saxons from Alfred University. 
 
SUNY New Paltz defeated Hamilton (0-0) 3-2 in a close game last season, and are currently 4-0 against the Continentals in recent history. Hamilton College is coached by former SUNY New Paltz assistant coach, Kristin Baker. 
 
Alfred University (2-2) will be looking to avenge last year's loss coming from the Hawks. SUNY New Paltz captured a 3-0 victory. The Saxons are coached by Dakota Pruiss, who was also an assistant coach for the Hawks from 2014 to 2016. 
 
The last team SUNY New Paltz will go head-to-head at this year's tournament is Williams College (0-0). The Hawks are currently 5-6 against the Ephs, with the most recent matchup coming in the 2018 season. SUNY New Paltz lost a 3-0 game on their home court. The Hawks will look to even the series up to six. 
 
To view the full schedule of the 2019 Hawks Invitational, click here. 

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