The State University of New York at New Paltz is just nine months removed from achieving what every program in the country strives for, a national championship. With a target on their back as the No. 1 ranked team in the country and defending national champions, the Hawks are ready to become the first team in school history to win back-to-back titles. They believe their season is fated for another NCAA crown, but they know this season's goal will come with even more hurdles than last year's underdog run.
 
"Of course we have high expectations coming in at No. 1 in the country and we realize we have a really big target on our back, but in practice we are always mentally preparing ourselves for that target," said SUNY New Paltz senior setter Matthew Grace. "We know a lot of teams will come out and give us their best. Just preparing together, playing good volleyball that is what we're going to do."
 
 
The Hawks had an up-and-down 2019, but played their best volleyball in the last stretch of the season when they won 10-straight games. They played their way into the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Tournament, defeating No. 3 seed St. John Fisher College, 3-1 and later upsetting top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology to earn the program's third championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. If they didn't come away with the victory over the Ducks, they very likely wouldn't have gotten into the tournament at all, let alone hoist the NCAA National Championship trophy.
 
A must-win UVC Championship was followed with a nail-biting come-from-behind win in the second round of the national tournament against Endicott College, as SUNY New Paltz nearly saw its inevitable winning run end. Not only did the Hawks need to earn a win in the fourth set to push the game to five, but they overcame a 13-10 deficit in the deciding stanza, coming back to eventually secure a 19-17 victory. That win set the tone the rest of way en route to de-throning former champions in No. 1 nationally ranked Springfield in the semifinal round and later securing a 3-1 victory in the championship game over UC Santa Cruz.
 
SUNY New Paltz has the same mentality going into 2020 that no matter what bumps the beginning of the season provides it has to make sure it peaks in April and May when hardware is on the line.
"We always know in the beginning of the season stuff happens," Grace added. "We might lose a game that we should have won, but peaking at the right time in April is always a goal of ours because that is the best time to get hot. Those are the most important matches and that is our goal."
 
The Hawks return the bulk of their roster from last season, but lose two pivotal pieces in First-Team All-American outside Nick Smith, and All-UVC and co-captain Bradley Schneider. Both provided more than just offense for the team, as the two were leaders on and off the court. They will be missed, but SUNY New Paltz has the talent to step up and pick up in that area.
 
"Everyone needs to step up. Those were two key components, not just on the court, but teammates in general," said Hawks senior libero Robert Nolan. "Those guys would come in early, do extra practices, get extra reps and it's something that everyone on this team could idolize and look up to. Not just the outside hitters, but I think everyone can take in who they were as players and making their game better by emulating what they were about. We got a deep core on the outside and it is going to be fun watching those guys work hard and battle it out. I am excited to see all those guys success on the court. It is going to be good competition."
 
Grace and co-captain Aaron Carrk will lead SUNY New Paltz into 2020. The former is an AVCA All-American and the latter earned All-UVC honors, while also being named NCAA Tournament MVP after an explosive performance in the championship game where he finished with a career-high 19 kills in the title game against UC-Santa Cruz.
 
"I do feel like [my role] has increased a little bit," Carrk said. "I always try to stay vocal and talk to my teammates, but I am no different than anyone else. We all have a job to do. We all have to be here every day working hard and we have to have the same success that we had last year."
 
Grace is primed to close out a historic career. Not only is he a two-time All-UVC selection, two-time Andrew Cassius Award recipient, team MVP and Second-Team All-American selection last season, but he is also just 300 assists shy from the all-time assist record in program history. However, the senior isn't too concerned about individual accomplishments, but just focused on another national title run.   
"The only thing I want is another national championship," said Grace. "It doesn't really matter about any individual awards or statistics. It's just all about the team and its success, so really looking forward in competing for another national championship."
 
The Hawks also bring back their starting libero in Nolan and two starting middles in seniors Tevin Skeete and Nick O'Malley with sophomore John Ronan also seeing extended time. O'Malley missed part of the season due to injury, but when he stepped on the floor he made SUNY New Paltz virtually unstoppable with his size and athleticism.

Brendan Spulnick will look to have a break out year in his second season with the Hawks. The Clifton Park, NY native showed glimpses of his potential with his lethal swing and even stronger serve. Transfer Riley Dolan will also be inserted into the starting lineup and will serve a bigger role in his second-year with the team. The two will likely fill the gap where Smith and Schneider left last season.
 
However, SUNY New Paltz won't just depend on a few starting players. Head coach Radu Petrus notably played various lineups throughout the year and gave a lot of his young guys ample playing time during key matches. That experience will likely pay off in their second year to make an immediate impact as soon as they are called upon.
 
"The standard is always at the top for all of us, especially coming off a year when you win a national championship," Nolan said. "To be able to hold everyone accountable, hold yourself accountable that is really important to us because at the end of the day you're competing with yourself to make yourself better, so holding each other accountable is a key component in our team."
 
The Hawks officially kick off their 2020 campaign in the Clash at Kean Tournament, playing No. 14 Stevenson University then No. 6 Benedictine Saturday. However, the team made an international trip and played three of exhibition games in the Dominican Republic to get the year going. They earned wins in every matchup and had the opportunity to explore a country and a culture of their longtime assistant coach Tony Bonilla.
 
After taking on the Mustangs and Eagles on the weekend, SUNY New Paltz will enter the Juniata Invitational before playing its home opener in the Hawk Center against Kean Jan. 31. After nine months, they'll enjoy another championship banner hanging in the back as they try to earn a win over the Cougars.
 
"We just kind of have to stay humble," Carrk said. "Being No. 1 comes with a lot of responsibility and comes with a lot of pressure too. You kind of have to treat yourself like that too. You got to make sure you're running the team for everyone to succeed and make sure the same success occurs that we had last year."
 
The Hawks are set to begin their 2020 title defense Saturday, taking on Stevenson at 11 a.m. and Benedictine at 3 p.m. at Kean University.

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