SUNY New Paltz Women’s Volleyball Team Topples Conference Rivals

UTICA, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team completed their first day of conference competition with two wins at the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Pool Play at SUNY IT.

The Hawks opened in the 6:00 p.m. match with hosting SUNY IT (1-5, 0-2). SUNY New Paltz (10-3, 2-0) defeated the wildcats 3-0, taking the first game 30-11, the second, 30-21, and the third, 30-19. Junior middle hitter Kate Roche (Patchogue, NY) led the Hawks both on offense and defense with ten kills and nine blocks. Sophomore setter Katie Becofsky (Altamont, NY) guided the Hawks with 33 assists.

In the following 8:00 p.m. match senior outside hitters Christina Mazurowski (Tonawanda, NY) and Andrea Kaiser (Blue Point, NY) piloted the Hawks past Cortland for a 3-2 victory. SUNY New Paltz won the opening game 30-24, dropped the second 23-30, took the third 30-25, fell in the fourth 28-30, only to rally for the win in the fifth game 15-13. Kaiser finished the evening with a team high 24 kills and 17 digs. Mazurowski played errorless volleyball, recording ten kills on 23 attempts for a .435 hitting percentage. She also recorded ten blocks in the defensive effort. Becofsky totaled 51 assists in the win over Cortland (14-2, 1-1). Cortland was ranked 19th in the latest Division III National Poll.

The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team will continue with their first weekend of conference play tomorrow in the second day of SUNYAC Pool Play. The Hawks are scheduled for contests at 12:00 p.m., against Plattsbugh, 2:00 pm, against Oneonta, and 6:00 p.m., against Potsdam.