SUNY New Paltz Men’s Volleyball Falls to Top Ranked Ducks

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team suffered their first conference loss of 2006 at the hands of Stevens Tech., 3-1 (25-30, 30-27, 30-12, 30-27) SUNY New Paltz fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the North Eastern Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Metro Division.

SUNY New Paltz (4-2, 2-1) grabbed an early edge on the Ducks, who were ranked No. 1 in the NECVA Preseason Poll. Tied 22-22, junior outside hitter Jeff Lee (Clifton Park, NY) hammered a kill to the floor sparking a three-point SUNY New Paltz run and forcing a Stevens Tech. timeout, 25-22. SUNY New Paltz took game one 30-25.

Just as the first, game two was a battle. Stevens Tech. (10-5, 2-0), however, forced the Hawks into a timeout, down 25-22. The Ducks maintained control to win game two, 30-27.

The Ducks jumped out to an early 21-7 edge as the Hawks called their second timeout of game three. Stevens Tech. seized the momentum of the affair posting a 30-12 win.

Stevens Tech. took the lead again in game four, but the Hawks were not beaten yet. SUNY New Paltz established a late charge to force the Ducks into a timeout at 27-25. The Ducks, however, outlasted the Hawks to secure the 3-1 match victory with a 30-27 win in game four.

Senior opposite Ryan Bullard (Smithtown, NY) totaled 15 kills and three blocks while hitting .314 on the evening, to led SUNY New Paltz. Seniors, outside hitter Jamie Kellogg (Scio, NY) and middle blocker Greg Jackson (Central Square, NY) collected eight kills apiece, while Lee provided the Hawks with ten kills and four aces. Freshman setter Matt Weingarten (East Moriches, NY) finished the contest with 43 assists.

The Ducks were led by senior outside hitter Chris Bock (Empangeri, South Africa), who recorded a double-double with 19 kills and 10 digs. Bock also added six blocks. Junior middle hitter Scott Stoner (Wantagh, NY) tallied ten kills, while freshmen outside hitter Joe Trinsey (Wilmington, DE) and middle hitter Andrew Cranford (Bel Air, MD) registered nine and eight kills, respectively. Cranford finished with seven blocks.

The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team will travel to Ramapo for a 12:00 pm NECVA Metro Division contest tomorrow, Saturday, February 4.