NEW PALTZ — New Paltz lost two matches on Friday night in the SUNYAC Eastern Division Pool Play at Elting Gymnasium to officially fail to qualify for the SUNYAC Tournament for the first time in seven years.
The (2-24) Hawks, lost to current Eastern Division leader Cortland, 15-4, 15-8, 15-13, and second-place Oneonta, 15-9, 15-8, 15-7. This marks the first time in the last seven years that New Paltz has failed to qualify for the SUNYAC Tournament.
Against Cortland, Ann Marie Carbone had four kills and four blocks for the Hawks, which also received strong play from Nicole Older (eight kills, eight digs) and Jennifer Hollis (18 assists). In the loss to Oneonta, Elizabeth Hogg (six kills, three service aces), Hollis (13 assists, nine digs) and Crystal Smith (15 digs) contributed.
The past six seasons, New Paltz was the second seed in the East behind perennial national volleyball power Cortland. Instead, Oneonta and Plattsburgh, 6-1 and 5-2, respectively in conference play through Friday, will join Cortland at this year’s tournament, which will be hosted by the top seed in the Western Division on October 27-28. The top three teams in each division at the completion of two divisional Pool Play events qualify for the SUNYAC Tournament.
New Paltz plays three matches on Saturday. The Hawks face Potsdam at 12 p.m., Utica/Rome at 2 p.m. and close the Pool Play event with a 6 p.m. match against Plattsburgh.
