New Paltz, NY — After coming up just short for a SUNYAC title, the State University of New York at New Paltz returns this year, intending to take it all.
Last season the Hawks made it to the SUNYAC finals but fell to the No. 1 seeded Cortland Red Dragons. Entering his 22nd season at the helm of the program, head coach Matt Giufre is looking to capture a sought-after SUNYAC championship title, as the last time the Hawks hoisted the conference trophy was in 2018.
After losing an extremely accomplished senior class, Giufre heads into the season with a youthful squad, including a class of ten incoming recruits. Click here to learn more about the incoming Hawks.
The Hawks will start the season at Skidmore in a scrimmage on Aug. 24th, a week before they head to Scranton to compete in the Scranton Invite on Aug. 31st. SUNY New Paltz heads back home on Sep. 4th, where they will face the Montclair Red Hawks at home. Last season, the Hawks defeated Montclair in two separate matches, 3-0 and 3-1.
The annual Hawks Invitational tournament is scheduled for Sep. 6th and 7th, featuring schools such as Mount Saint Mary's, Russel Sage and Union College. SUNY New Paltz went 3-1 at the tournament last year, with their only loss being to Vassar College.
The following week on Sep. 11th, the Hawks face off against West Conn at home, and that Saturday, they travel to Union College in their last game until they head to New Jersey to compete in the Kean tournament. The event runs from Sep. 20th through Sep. 21st. The Hawks are scheduled to play three matches across the two days.
After a week and a half off, SUNY New Paltz faces their first SUNYAC opponent, Oneonta, on Oct. 2nd. The Hawks have beaten the Red Dragons in straight sets for the past three years, and travel up north to hopefully, do it again this season. Three days later on Oct. 5th, the Hawks enter another tournament, a tri-match against Clarkson University and Baruch College.
SUNY New Paltz meets another SUNYAC competitor on Oct. 11th, hosting the Buffalo State Bengals. Buffalo State finished fifth in the conference last season, but the Hawks still swept them 3-0 in the regular season. A quick turnaround to the following day, SUNY New Paltz plays Fredonia. Last year the Blue Devils won the second set in their game against the Hawks, but SUNY New Paltz won the other three to silence the hosts.
On Oct. 18th, the Hawks travel to play Cortland, the team that defeated them in the championship last year. A formidable opponent, the Red Dragons defeated SUNY New Paltz in both meetings during the season, but the Hawks return intending to defeat the reigning champs.
The next day, SUNY New Paltz ventures to Morrisville, playing the Mustangs for the first time in program history. Another first for the Hawks comes on Oct. 25th, where they will host Canton, another new opponent. The next day the Hawks host another SUNYAC team, the Oswego Lakers. In 2023, SUNY New Paltz beat the Lakers in the Oswego gym, prevailing 3-1.
To open the month of November, the Hawks travel to Plattsburgh on the first. The Cardinals have never been victorious over SUNY New Paltz, but a coaching change heading into the season could shape up a competitive team for 2024. Staying on the road, the Hawks head to Potsdam to meet the Bears, last season's bottom team in the conference standings.
The contest in Potsdam will be the last SUNYAC match for the Hawks, but the regular season continues for another week. On Nov. 6th SUNY New Paltz hosts Vassar College, followed by another tri-match tournament on Nov. 9th, against Stevens and Drew University.
The SUNYAC playoffs begin on Nov. 12th, continue through Nov. 15th and finish on Nov. 16th. The first round of NCAA regionals are slotted for Nov. 21st.
To view the full 2024 women's volleyball schedule, click here.
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