Women’s Volleyball Has Record Breaking Season in 2008

The women’s volleyball team highlighted the 2008 season with their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament and a trip to the Elite Eight. New Paltz fell to La Verne in the round of eight and ended their season with a 32-10 record, the highest win total in the history of the volleyball program. The Hawks received an at-large bid into the tournament after falling in the conference championship match to Fredonia. New Paltz defeated Hunter 3-0 in the first round, Union 3-1 in the second round and avenged the loss to Fredonia with a 3-2 victory in the sweet 16.
Junior middle hitter Brittany Coyle led the Hawks with 375 kills and 118 blocks on the season. She earned first team all-conference honors, was selected to the SUNYAC and Regional All-Tournament teams, and garnered NCAA New York Region honorable mention. Coyle led the conference in hitting percentage (.369). First year outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna was named the Regional Tournament MVP, first-team all-SUNYAC and conference all-tournament recognition as she finished the season with 302 kills, 332 digs and 48 blocks.
Junior setter Stephanie Bova garnered first team all-conference honors and was selected to the regional all-tournament team. Bova centered the attack with 1,267 assists, 276 digs and a team high 42 aces. Bova ranks second on the season assist chart, falling two assists short of the record set by Katie Becofsky in 2007 (1269). Senior Nicole Mercadante highlighted her career by becoming the all-time career dig leader with 1,707. She finished the season with 543 digs and earned first team all-SUNYAC honors. Senior outside hitter Samantha Prudente earned second team all-conference honors as she registered 255 kills, 299 digs, 38 aces and 24 blocks.
The team led the conference in hitting percentage (.258%) and ranked second in assists (10.53), kills (11.83) and digs (15.66).