SCHENECTADY, NY -- Junior setter Stephanie Bova (Central Square, NY) had a match high 41 assists with 11 digs and senior outside hitter Samantha Prudente (Huntington Station, NY) recorded 17 digs with 12 kills for New Paltz in a 3-1 regional semifinal win over Union at the 2008 NCAA Division III Union Regionals at the Viniar Athletic Center Friday night. The Hawks (31-9), competing in their first NCAA tourney, advance to the championship Saturday at 7 p.m. against Fredonia in a matchup of two teams from the State University of New York Athletic Conference. Union finishes the season 36-6. New Paltz won by scores of 25-23, 25-19, 22-25 and 25-19. The win for New Paltz ties the school record for most wins in a season of 31.
Freshman outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna (West Hempstead, NY) added 14 kills and 12 digs for the Hawks, and senior libero Nicole Mercadante (Baldiwnsville, NY) finished the match with 27 digs. This was the Hawks' second win over Union this year, as they had won 3-0 at the Skidmore Tournament on October 25.
Union led 5-2 in game one but the ninth tie of the set came at 17-17. The Hawks ran off five straight for a 22-17 lead but Union came back for a 5-1 run to trail 23-22 yet could not tie and lost the game 25-23. New Paltz made it 2-0 with a 25-19 victory in game two. The Hawks led 7-6 then took a larger lead with a 10-5 run for a 17-11 advantage and eventually won 25-19. But the Dutchwomen stayed alive despite a 10-3 New Paltz start in game three. The Dutchwomen pulled out a 25-22 triumph in that set. The Hawks won 25-19 in the final set that featured a 12-5 run that broke a 7-7 tie.
New Paltz will face Fredonia, who defeated Stevens 3-2 in the other semifinal, at 7pm in the regional final match on Saturday. The Hawks and the Blue Devils have split on the season. New Paltz defeated Fredonia 3-0 at the Vassar Tournament on Oct. 31, while Fredonia swept New Paltz 3-0 on Nov 8th in the SUNYAC finals.
