Hawks Fall to Warriors in Home Finale

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team played the first official contest in the new Athletic and Wellness Center, tonight, in their home finale against East Stroudsburg. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 3-0 (30-24, 30-26, 30-28). The Hawks honored seniors, opposite Ryan Bullard (Smithtown, NY) and middle blocker Greg Jackson (Central Square, NY), who played their final regular season home game for SUNY New Paltz.

The Warriors seized the momentum early in the match putting the Hawks away in the first two games 30-24, and 30-26. SUNY New Paltz (21-10) fought hard in game three behind the defensive play of Jackson, who collected four of his six blocks in the third game, however, the Hawks came up short, 30-28.

East Stroudsburg (12-7) came away with the win in game one behind a .519 team hitting percentage. The Warriors took game two, 30-26. Sophomore middle hitter Jon Daley (Sinking Springs, PA) collected six blocks in game two, he totaled ten in the contest. SUNY New Paltz rallied from a 26-19 deficit in game three to pull to within two, 29-27, before the Warriors sealed the match victory with a 30-28 win in game three.

Junior outside hitter Jeff Lee (Clifton Park, NY) finished with a team-high 12 kills for the Hawks. Freshman setter Matt Weingarten (East Moriches, NY) piloted the Hawks’ offense with 35 assists. Sophomore libero Pedro Medina (Brentwood, NY) registered ten digs. In their final regular season match, Bullard recorded nine kills, two aces and four blocks, while Jackson tallied six kills, and six blocks.

Junior middle hitter Keith Eckenrode (Tunkhannock, PA) and Daley led East Stroudsburg with 14 kills apiece, while hitting .400 and .650, respectively. Junior setter Adam Holdredge (Tunkhannock, PA) provided 33 assists, as freshman libero R.J. Roth (Carlisle, PA) recorded 11 digs.

The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team will travel to Beverly, MA this weekend, March 31 through April 2, for the 2006 North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Championship Tournament. The Hawks are seeded fifth in the tournament and will open on Friday, March 31 with a 6:00 pm contest against Metro Division rival, Bard College.