NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz men’s volleyball team hosted the Gothic Knights from New Jersey City University Thursday night in the Hawk Center. The Hawks defeated the Knights 3-0 (30-26, 30-22, 30-24).
In set one, both teams played to a 9-9 set before the Hawks rattled off three of the next four points to take a small lead. After the Knights cut the lead to one at 14-13, the Hawks would tally six of the next seven points to take control of the set. The Knights did battle back to 28-26, but the Hawks would hold of the comeback and win 30-26.
In set two, once again both teams started strong and battled to a 13-12 advantage for New Paltz, before scoring nine of the next eleven points to take command of the set 22-14. The Knights would not get any closer than seven points in the set and the Hawks took the set 30-22.
In set three, the Hawks jumped out quickly scoring seven of the first nine points, but the Knights battle back to make it 9-7 Hawks. The Hawks would stretch the lead to ten at 23-13. The Knights would score six of the next seven points to come within five at 24-19, but that’s as close as the Hawks would allow the Knights to get. The Hawks would go on to win the set and game 30-24.
The Hawks were led by senior outside hitter Ryan Huberty (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) with 14 kills and nine digs and senior middle hitter Jake Moore (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Hendrick Hudson) had ten kills, 15 digs and three blocks. Sophomore setter Andrew Cassius (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) handed out 17 assists and freshman setter Frank Ciccone (Long Beach, NY/Long Beach) handed out 14 assists on the evening.
The Knights were led by Marley Pena-Guzman with seven kills and Kevin Rodgers added six kills and 18 digs. Thiago Siqueira had 11 digs and Justin Beaumont handed out 21 assists. The Knights fall to 12-8 overall and 3-0 in the NECVA.
The Hawks improve to 13-8 overall and 4-2 in the NECVA. The Hawks return to the court March 4th against Vassar at 7 p.m.
