New Paltz, NY --The State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team (6-0) gets ready to face crosstown rival Vassar College (6-2) in the first United Volleyball Conference (UVC) matchup of the year for the Hawks.

The two rival universities have played some intense games in the past years. In SUNY New Paltz's 2016 National Championship season, the Hawks defeated the Brewers 3-2 in a closely contested match for their lone encounter. 

The next year was tougher for SUNY New Paltz as the Brewers grabbed a 3-2 win at the Hawk Center on Senior Night, but the Hawks bounced back in a big way with a 3-1 win in the UVC tournament semifinals, and a 3-0 sweep in the NCAA Division III tournament against their local rivals.

The following year Vassar managed to take two wins from SUNY New Paltz, one in Poughkeepsie and another at Hunter College, 3-2, in UVC play and then 3-1 in the UVC semifinals.

Last year the Hawks took a 3-1 win on their way to a dominating season in which they conquered their second National Championship in four years.

In 2020 Vassar College holds a 6-2 record. Losing in two straight sweeps in their first two games, but has now collected six consecutive wins. The Brewers are ranked No. 5 in the nation, but only have one win away from home, so the Hawks will need to take advantage of their fans at the Hawk Center.  

A player to watch out for SUNY New Paltz is senior outside hitter Kevin Ros, who was named the Sports Imports/AVCA Division III National Player of the Week as well as UVC Player of the Week on Feb. 3.

Freshman middle blocker Gavin Van Beveren also won the same accolade the week before.

The Hawks are hitting .309 percent at the moment and keeping opposing offenses to .185 percent, as well as averaging 12.3 assists per set compared to the 8.9 of their opponents. 

Tip-off against Vassar is at 7 p.m. on Friday night at the Hawk Center

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