NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team enters the 2007 campaign with high hopes for a SUNYAC title under sixth year head coach Matt Giufre. New Paltz posted a 26-12 record last season, made it to the SUNYAC semifinals, and the ECAC Tournament finals.
Senior setter Katie Becofsky (Altamont/Schalmont), who dished 978 assists last season, returns to center the Hawks attack after garnering East Division Player of the Year. Sophomore Stephanie Bova (Central Square) will back up Becofsky after displaying great potential when Becofsky was out for three weeks last season. Bova finished her rookie year with 506 assists and first in the conference with 11.48 assists per game in SUNYAC play. The Hawks led the conference in assists with 13.36 per game.
Sophomore Brittany Coyle (Middletown/Minisink Valley) returns to the lead the attack. Coyle exploded on the SUNYAC scene, earning Rookie of the Year in the East after leading the conference with a .412 attack percentage. Coyle finished the year with 248 kills and 85 blocks.
Senior Kim Braga (Long Beach) and juniors Amanda Brown (South Glens Falls) and Samantha Prudente (Huntington Station/Walt Whitman) return to the front line for the Hawks. Braga contributed 121 kills during an injury-plaqued season. Outside hitter Brown had 215 kills, 251 digs and 22 service aces, while Prudente accounted for 58 kills and 203 digs.
Lauren Hogue (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills Ballston) and Alison Kiernan (New Hyde Park/Herricks) will contribute from the right side. Hogue tallied 40 kills and 123 digs as a rookie and Kiernan saw time in 27 games.
Junior Nicole Mercadante (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), who contributed 642 digs last season returns to her libero position, where she ranked third in the conference with 4.42 digs per game. Versatile sophomore transfer Kelcey Noble (Lake George) will see time as a back row hitter.
Giufre sees first year Dana Kindlemann (Nesconset/Sachem North) and junior transfer Marlena Rowehl (Middle Island/Longwood) immediately competing for playing time at middle hitter. Rowehl transferred from Suffolk County Community College where she was a two time first team All-Region selection.
Rounding out the roster will be first year Stephanie Skrobach (Webster/Webster Schroeder), sophomore Amanda Kopp (Massapequa) and senior Lindsey Brown (Jamestown). Kopp returns to the front line after a season ending torn ACL and Brown totaled 36 kills in her first year with the Hawks.
New Paltz begins their season at the Cortland tournament on Friday, August 31 with the home opener slated for Friday, September 14 versus Elmira at 2:00 pm as part of the Hawk Invite.
