New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz swept the Potsdam Bears at home, defeating the visitors in straight sets (25-11, 25-13, 25-14). 
 
The Hawks came out dominant in the first set, accumulating a 5-2 lead almost immediately. Shutting down the Bears' offensive opportunities, not allowing them to score more than three points at a time. SUNY New Paltz was also seeing success from behind the back line, in both the first set and beyond, accumulating 13 service aces in the game.
 
"I thought tonight we came out with great focus and just played a really clean match from start to finish," said Hawks coach Matt Giufre. "We got a lot of great contributions from a lot of people, and it didn't really matter who was on the court."
 
Going into the second, SUNY New Paltz used its confidence to their advantage. The Hawks came out hot with six straight points and extended the lead to 11-5 before Potsdam's first substitution. Scoring came from all players on all areas of the court, most notably Mackenzie Williams, who got five of her eight total kills in the second set. Jamie Albrecht finished the set with a service ace, closing out the second with a score of 25-13.
 
 
In the third, SUNY New Paltz got out to a quick lead once again. A kill by Letisha Perez followed by one from Williams, and a service ace by Samantha Cox made the score 12-3, the largest score deficit of the set. Potsdam attempted to battle back late in the third, but the Hawks went on a five-point run to victory, having a final score of 25-14, and SUNY New Paltz took the match 3-0.   
Veteran players used their leadership and took the team across the finish line, but numerous underclassmen got to see success on the court, including freshman middle hitter Christine Balbona who earned her first collegiate start on the night.
 
"I honestly wasn't nervous at all," Balbona said. "If anything I was excited to be on the floor and to be able to play, so I used that [opportunity] to the best of my abilities. 
 
Balbona recorded three kills and three blocks. Perez led the charge with 11 kills, and Cate DiGiacomo totaled 17 assists, while Dana Collins followed behind, tallying 10 assists. Along with individual players' success, the team chemistry as a whole was undeniable. 
 
"Our communication was clear and to the point," Balbona added. "We all understood our roles and jobs for this match."

The Hawks will move on to play their final regular season home game Saturday, as they near the end of SUNYAC competition only still having to face Plattsburgh and Oneonta, respectively.
 
"You want to be starting to play your best clean volleyball later in the season which we're starting to do," Giufre said. "We hope to build on this tomorrow against a good Plattsburgh team and continue to play some of our best volleyball throughout.
 
The Hawks will play their final home game Saturday against the visiting Cardinals in the Hawk Center at 1 p.m.

Post-Game Featuring Christine Balbona
 
 
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