New Paltz, NY — The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team announced its incoming class for the 2023 season Wednesday.
 
The Hawks graduated a bevy of talented seniors from last year's team, which won 20-plus games for the first time since 2018 and earned a No. 3 regional ranking by the American Volleyball Association midway through the season. They now re-stock with talent, as coach Matt Giufre brings in a deep incoming class who look to fill holes left throughout the lineup.
 
Read more about each incoming recruit below:

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Christine Balbona '27
Middle Hitter
Peekskill, NY
Walter Panas High School
Downstate VBC
 
Balbona started for the perennial Section 1, Class A powerhouse Walter Panas Panthers and earned a spot on the 2021 NYSPHSAA Class A state-finalist squad; a team with an impressive 20-3 overall record. She was also named to the 2022 LoHud Super 7 Players to Watch list. The middle hitter played club volleyball for Downstate VBC.
 
"Christine is a very solid all-around middle hitter with a high ceiling," Giufre said. "She's a strong attacker and blocker and a very good athlete. I'm looking forward to seeing her thrive at this level."
 




Kim Braun '27
Setter
Peekskill, NY
Walter Panas High School
Downstate Junior VBC
 
Braun is the second player from Walter Panas High School to join the Hawks this fall. She started for the NYSPHSAA Class A state-finalists and earned the Sportsmanship Award at the state championship. Braun was named to the 2022 LoHud Super 7 Players to Watch list and earned herself Section I All-Conference honors, and like her Panthers teammate Balbona, also played club for Downstate VBC.
 
"Kim has played as a setter and a libero, and I see a lot of untapped potential in the setter position," Giufre said. "She's a very consistent and reliable player that I look forward to working with and watch grow throughout her career."
 



Lola Konopa '27
Middle Hitter
West Islip, NY
West Islip High School
Sportime VBC
 
Konopa earned All-Suffolk County honors in 2022 for volleyball, while starting for both the basketball and lacrosse teams at West Islip High School. The dual sport athlete played club volleyball for Sportime VBC. 
 
"Lola is a strong middle who gets better every time I watch her play," Giufre said. "She plays with great enthusiasm, which allows her to play at a high level. I am excited about what she's capable of as a college athlete."
 





Alex Maher '25
Libero
Marlboro, NY
Marlboro High School, Ulster County Community College
Downstate Juniors VBC
 
Maher joins SUNY New Paltz after an impressive two years at Ulster County Community College. In her time as a Senator, Maher became a two year starter, recording a career 217 digs and 39 service aces in 23 matches. In 2021, she led Ulster in digs (139) and service aces (15).  In 2022, Maher helped the team to an 11-4 overall record and secured second place in the NJCAA Region XIX Championship. Originally from Marlboro, NY, Maher played club volleyball for Downstate Juniors VBC. 
 
"Alex comes in with successful collegiate experience," Giufre said. "She's another strong back row player we are adding to this incoming class."
 



Emma Mahoney '27
Libero
Stormville, NY
John Jay-East Fishkill High School
Northeast Volleyball Club
 
Mahoney started playing competitive volleyball at the age of 10 and will begin her collegiate career with the Hawks this fall. She earned Section I All-Conference honors in 2022 and comes from a long line of volleyball excellence. Her mother, Maria Mahoney, played collegiate volleyball at Stetson University and is currently the head girl's volleyball coach at John Jay-East Fishkill High School where she too used to star. The libero played club for Northeast Volleyball club. 
 
"Emma is an exciting libero, as her serve receive is her biggest strength," Giufre said. "That is less common at the high school level and will serve her well as she transitions to the college game. She has a strong career ahead of her."
 



Courtney Meyer '27
Outside Hitter
Slate Hill, NY
Pine Bush High School
Pine Bush VBC
 
Meyer has been a member of Pine Bush girl's varsity volleyball team since the seventh grade. Most recently, in 2022, she was named to the All-Section IX, Class AA First Team. Meyer was a starter on the 2021 and 2022 Section IX, Class AA champion team and was a part of five consecutive Section IX, Class AA championships won by the Pine Bush Bushmen. An overall excellent athlete, Meyer also excelled for the Bushmen's softball team while also staring for Pine Bush VBC. 
 
"Courtney is a very good outside hitter whose strength right now is passing and defense," Giufre said. "I see her offense making a jump in our offensive system. She will be a solid all-around player for us."
 



Sam Russo '27
Libero
Bay Shore, NY
Bay Shore High School
Rival VBC
 
Russo was a three-year starter for the Bay Shore Marauders. In that time, she earned Newsday Top 50 Long Island Girls Volleyball Players honors in both 2021 and 2022 and was also named the 2020 Suffolk County League II Rookie of the Year. A year later she followed this up with the 2021 Suffolk County League II Defensive Player of the Year honorees after recording 171 digs. The Bay Shore, NY native played club for Rival VBC. 
 
"Sam is a highlight libero," Giufre said. "She is very talented in all facets of the game and makes one amazing play after another. Already a force, Sam is loaded with potential, and I am excited to witness her college career." 
 



Alexis Stragalas '27
Middle Hitter
Syosset, NY
Syosset High School
Club Ace Long Island
 
Stragalas joins the Hawks this fall bringing in quite the resume. She was named to the 2022 Newsday Top 50 Long Island Girls Volleyball Players list as well as the 2022 All-Nassau County First Team. Stragalas also gets it done in the classroom, earning 2022 All-Nassau County and NYSPHSAA All-State Student-Athlete honors. The Syosset, NY native played club for Club Ace Long Island. 
 
"Lexi is super athletic with a fast arm that hammers the ball," Giufre said. "She has been a central figure on her teams, used to being relied on to score points. I see her making a big impact on our team."




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