Huntingdon, PA -- The State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team (5-0) completed a full sweep of its Saturday double-header against No. 11 Southern Virginia (2-3) and Hiram College (2-3).

The Hawks defeated Southern Virginia, 25-12, 27-25, 25-23. The team came ready to play and immediately stepped on the gas, combining for 12 kills in the first set and holding the Knights to just six kills in the set and a .053 hitting average. Senior outside hitter Aaron Carrk led the way with 10 kills for the Hawks, and sophomore Brendan Spulnick netted nine kills and three service aces to lead the SUNY New Paltz offense.

The second set was much more back and forth, with the Knights hitting a .345 average compared to the Hawks' .179, yet SUNY New Paltz managed to score three consecutive points, tied at 24-24, to win the set. Spulnick registered two kills, and sophomore Dan LaRosa capped it off with an ace. 

In the third set the Hawks had to fight back multiple times from behind. Tying the score at 22-22, Southern Virginia missed a serve before LaRosa subbed on and got a block, and senior middle blocker Nick O'Malley then won the set 25-23.

"They did well. They play like a team, so far it's good chemistry," said SUNY New Paltz coach Radu Petrus of his team's performance overall.

The Hawks were hot and against a weaker side, took advantage right away and held the Hiram College Terriers to just a .030 hitting average in the first set, netting 15 kills as a team to take the first, 25-17.

In the second, SUNY New Paltz committed eight errors but still commanded the set and won, 25-17 after keeping the Terriers to a -.182 hitting average, with only five kills.

The third was much of the same, as the Hawks won 25-19. Sophomore setter Cam Clark stepped in for senior Matthew Grace and netted 32 assists as coach Petrus rotated more players. Senior outside hitter Matthew Amberge led the team with 15 kills, followed by sophomore Chris Shanley with nine. Junior middle blocker Sam Yakubowski paced SUNY New Paltz defensively with four blocks on the day.

Carrk was named Tournament MVP for the Hawks, while Grace also earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after a prolific three-game stretch through the two day's of matches. 

"All team members played well today. I don't have a standout player for this tournament, it was teamwork," said Petrus.

The Hawks now await their home-opener against Kean University Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Hawk Center.