Poughkeepsie, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz, coming off an exciting five-set win on the road over NYU, grinded out three-straight set victories to stay undefeated in United Volleyball Conference action by defeating No. 8 Vassar College on the road Saturday after earning a 3-1 win to remain atop UVC standings.

"It was a great victory tonight," said SUNY New Paltz coach Radu Petrus. "I'm confident we will host UVC playoffs. All our players were very motivated to win the game with great support from the bleachers. Thanks to our fans."
 
After dropping the first, 25-22, the Hawks regrouped in the second. A back-and-forth set, SUNY New Paltz overcame a 17-14 deficit midway through to tie the stanza at 18 following a 4-1 run, helped by the Brewers who committed a ball handling and setting error to aid in the stalemate. The Hawks tied the score again at 19 and then at 22-all before finishing the set with five-straight points with Brendan Spulnick serving through the stretch. Pat Wing was the benefactor, going up for a double block with Kyle Shaffer to create set point before blasting a kill at the face of Vassar to close out the second and tie the game at a set apiece.

"Our servers got in better shape after the first set," Petrus said. "Also Kyle Shaffer ran a great offense, receivers feeded him with great passing."
 
Momentum swung toward the visiting Hawks, as they controlled most of the third period. They took their largest lead of the game at 19-13 with SUNY New Paltz continuing to serve strong. Chris Shanley served for ace at 18-13, getting his serve to graze over the net and hit the other side of the floor before forcing the Brewers into an attacking error to take a six-point advantage. Vassar fought back to get as close as 23-20 following a bad set by Shaffer, but he helped earn back the point as he back-set John Ronan for a monster kill to put an emphatic end to the third, which saw SUNY New Paltz take a 2-1 lead.  
With a large visiting crowed in attendance to support the Hawks, they rode the energy and continued to roll in the fourth. They took a 15-10 lead on a three-point run, which was led by an ace from Wing and a kill by Shaffer. SUNY New Paltz extended its cushion to as many as seven after another three-point spurt pushed the score, 21-14 with Shaffer and Wing blocking the Brewers on an attack to cap the surge.
 
Vassar's final point of the match came on a kill at 22-16, but the Hawks put the finishing touches on the win with another 3-0 run, which was started on a serving error by the Brewers and ended with an ace from Wing and a double block by Shaffer and Wing to cap a long rally for SUNY New Paltz.
 
Spulnick totaled five aces, nine digs and 11 kills, while hitting a game-best .643 in the win. Shanley had a game-high 13 kills and added an ace and a block, while Wing finished with 10 kills (hitting .600) with two aces and four blocks. Shaffer also had a productive day, compiling 37 assists, two aces and tying for a game-high four blocks.
 
The win improves SUNY New Paltz to 17-4 overall and 5-0 in the UVC, while dropping Vassar to 14-5 and 5-2 in UVC. The Hawks have three games left on their regular season schedule — all on the road — with two coming against UVC opposition. If they win just one of their last two conference matches against Elmira and Nazareth, they'll lock up home court advantage for the UVC Championships.
 
Before SUNY New Paltz ends the season in conference play, it has one last non-UVC game left, which comes Wednesday on the road at No. 1 Springfield College. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Hawks vs. Vassar Game Highlights


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