SUNY New Paltz Men’s Volleyball Team Drops Two at Elting Gym

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men volleyball team played three matches today at Elting Gymnasium. The Hawks lost their early match to Lees McRae, 3-0. After a short intermission the Hawks rallied from their morning defeat with a 3-0 win over Philadelphia Biblical University. In the final match of the afternoon the Hawks fell to Sacred Heart 3-2.

SUNY New Paltz (11-7) dropped game one to Lees McRae 30-24 and was unable to make either of the following two games any closer, losing 30-18, 30-17. Lees McRae (12-1) was led by junior outside hitter Brian Williams (Virginia Beach, VA) who provided the Bobcats with 12 kills and a .688 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Steven Dierstein (Virginia Beach, VA) added 10 kills.

Senior outside hitter Chris Ganje (Halfmoon, NY) led the Hawks with six kills.

The SUNY New Paltz recovered from their opening loss with a 3-0 defeat of Philadelphia Biblical University. The Hawks took the first game 30-16, the second 30-28 and the final 30-23.

Junior opposite Chris Grunwald (St. James, NY) had 12 kills seven digs and a .375 hitting percentage. Sophomore opposite Joshua Spiro (Island Park, NY) had seven kills and seven blocks and senior setter Jason Karpf (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) operated the Hawks offense with 36 assists and a .400 hitting percentage.

Senior outside hitter Jade Brubaker (Telford, PA) led all players with 14 kills and also gave the Crimson Eagles (6-8) nine digs and a .344 hitting percentage.

In the final match of the afternoon the Hawks battled Sacred Heart to the bitter end of a 3-2 defeat. The Hawks dropped the first two games, by identical 31-29 scores, won the third 30-28, the fourth 30-25, but lost game five 15-13.

Ganje led all players with 24 kills, 11 digs, two service aces and a .349 hitting percentage. Karpf finished with a career high 57 assists and Spiro and senior outside hitter Mike LaRocco (Hauppauge, NY) had 13 and 11 kills respectively.

Sacred Heart (2-8) was led by senior middle blocker Mike Gardner (Brookfield, WI), who provided the Pioneers with 21 kills and three service aces. Junior setter Tommy Karavas (Astoria, NY) piloted the Pioneer offense with 47 assists, sixteen digs and a.333 hitting percentage.