New York, NY — The State University of New York New Paltz remained undefeated in United Volleyball Conference (UVC) play after securing a four-set victory over hosting NYU Wednesday night, 25-15, 16-25, 25-20, 25-21.
 
The win pushed the Hawks to 20-5 overall and 5-0 in the UVC, notching their first 20-win season since 2023 as they became one step closer in grasping the top seed in the conference tournament with the victory over the reigning champion Violets who dropped to 15-5 and 2-2, respectively following the result.
 
SUNY New Paltz had one of its most efficient offensive nights of the season, hitting a season-high .560 as a team and totaled more points (71-62), kills (53-52), aces (9-7), blocks (9-3) and assists (51-50) than NYU.
 
The Hawks rolled to a Set 1 win, holding set point at 24-15 following a kill by Nikko Tenedorio. Matt Kudlinski came into serve the final point and did his job, as the stanza ended on a block by Tenedorio and Krish Jain in the middle to help the visitors to a 1-0 lead.
 
After the Violets tied the game at 1-1, the two sides battled through a tight third set. The period was tied 13 times before SUNY New Paltz started drifting away with the lead midway through. A kill by Tenedorio allowed the Hawks to side-out with Jain creating a 17-15 lead following a solo block on the following point. A service error put a dent in the run, but the Violets traded errant attempts at the serving line, allowing SUNY New Paltz to build upon its lead with Matt Marusza serving two straight points resulting in NYU hitting errors.  
The Hawks held set point following a kill from Geoff Ndoria and two points later, Ndoria sealed the third set victory, slamming a kill off a set by Marusza to finalize the stanza, 25-20 in favor of SUNY New Paltz.
 
NYU never overcame a 6-1 run to start the fourth and trailed after Ndoria gave the Hawks the lead after 5-5 with Luke Hofer credited on the assist in the out of system play. Jain and Tenedorio registered another block, which created a seven-point cushion at 20-13 and eventually, SUNY New Paltz worked its way to set point following a kill from Matt Teplansky at 24-19. Teplansky then sealed the win three points later, connecting on a swing off a set from Marusza to solidify the 25-21 outcome.
 
Marusza did well in facilitating the offense, as he totaled 48 assists to five different hitters with four finishing in double figure kills. Teplasnky was the catalyst, recording a career-high 17 kills and hitting .536 with two aces and a block for 19.5 points. Tenedorio followed with 11 kills (.529) with an assist, two aces, five blocks and six digs for 15.5 points. Jain recorded 12.5 points on 10 kills off 10 attempts, hitting a perfect 1.000, while adding four blocks and two digs. Ndoria also notched 10 kills and recorded 12 points.
 
SUNY New Paltz can seal the No. 1 seed with a win Friday night against Hobart College. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Geneva, NY.

 
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