The SUNY New Paltz women’s volleyball team enters 2008 competition with high hopes for a SUNYAC title under seventh year head coach Matt Giufre. New Paltz posted a record of 27-12 and reached the SUNYAC tournament semifinals, where they were defeated by Fredonia.
New Paltz is a deep and experienced squad with three returning All-SUNYAC East performers. Despite the loss of the 2006 and 2007 SUNYAC East Player of the Year, Giufre is confident in the talent of his recruiting class and believes the team is ready to make things happen on the court.
Senior libero Nicole Mercadante (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) will lead the defense after earning second team All-SUNYAC and contributing a team high 481 digs in 2007. Junior Priska Wilson (Warwick/Warwick Valley) is a two time second team All-SUNYAC selection and joins the Hawks after transferring from SUNY Potsdam. Wilson led the Bears with 4.94 digs/game and will be looked to for her strong defensive skills. Junior Kelcey Noble (Lake George) completes the defensive unit after adding 176 digs for the Hawks last year.
Senior outside hitter Samantha Prudente (Huntington Station/Walt Whitman), who was a second team All-SUNYAC choice, will pace the attack after netting 256 kills and 383 digs last season. Giufre is high on first year Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead), an outside hitter who will compete for a starting role immediately. Junior Amanda Kopp (Massapequa) and sophomore Stephanie Skrobach (Webster/Webster Schroeder) will add depth to the outside rotation. Completing the outside position is sophomore Artie Williams (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy), who joins the team after earning the 2008 SUNYAC women’s basketball rookie of the year honors. Williams is a natural athlete and will add power and agility to the outside.
Junior middle hitter Brittany Coyle (Middletown/Minisink Valley) returns after leading the team in blocks. Sophomore Dana Kindelmann (Nesconset/Sachem North) returns to the middle after compiling 63 blocks and hitting .261. First year Tara Annunziata (Massapequa) adds depth to the middle position and join the rotation.
Juniors Lauren Hogue (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills Ballston) and Alison Kiernan (New Hyde Park/Herricks) will contribute from the right side. Hogue tallied 158 kills and 275 digs and Kiernan added 76 kills.
Junior Stephanie Bova (Central Square) will center the Hawks attack as the starting setter position, after serving as the back up setter for the past two years. First year Kelsey Garmendia (Pine Bush) will assume the back up role.
New Paltz begins their season at the Cortland Red Dragon Classic on Friday, August 29 with the home opener slated for Friday, September 12 versus Mt. St. Mary at 4:00 p.m. as a part of the Hawk Invitational.
