Hawks Win First SUNYAC Women’s Volleyball Championship, NCAA Tournament Bound

NEW PALTZ, NY- “I told the team before the game that it was everyone’s responsibility including coaches to get the crowd into the game through celebrating every point and encouraging the team. If we were able to do that, we would walk out champions” stated head coach Matt Giufre. New Paltz did exactly that winning the 2009 SUNYAC Championship for the first time in New Paltz women’s volleyball program history. The Hawks defeated the Red Dragons from Cortland in straight sets to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and second overall.

In the first set, the Hawks quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead only to see Cortland score eight of the next 11 points to take a 8-6 advantage. The Hawks would tally four of the next five points to take a 10-9 lead. From there, the Hawks would win the set by winning 15 of the final 22 points for a 25-16 set win.

In the second set, playing to a 5-5 tie, the Hawks would dominate the set winning 20 of the next 26 points, which included a 7-0 to take a 16-7 advantage. The Hawks took a commanding 2-0 set lead winning the second set 25-11.

In the third set, the teams battled back and forth to a 13-12 Hawks advantage. The Hawks would finish the set on a 12-6 run to win the set, 25-18.

Cortland’s Sheena Asibey had a game-high 10 kills and Kaitlyn Cooper added nine for the Red Dragons. Kristen Guercio handed out 23 assists and had digs on defense. Katie Wick had a game-high 21 assists for Cortland who falls to 25-12 overall.

The Hawks had a total team effort for the second straight day. “Our blocking and defense was able to set-up our offense up to be success” said Giufre. Brittany Coyle and Alison Kiernan each had nine kills a piece and Melinda DiGiovanna had seven. Stephanie Bova had a double-double with a game-high 34 assists and 14 digs on defense. Kindelmann had a game-high four blocks and Kiernan added three. Loren Crabbe led the defense with 18 digs; Priska Wilson added 16 and Michelle Jacobson chipped in with 10.

The Hawks held Cortland to a .007 hitting percentage and held them to a negative hitting percentage in the final two sets.

The Hawks improve to 32-5 overall and tie the school record with 32 wins, which was set last season. Stephanie Bova and Alison Kiernan were selected to the All-Tournament Team and Brittany Coyle was named Tournament MVP.

The Hawks await the NCAA Tournament selection on Monday at 11 a.m. to prepare for the Regional Tournament.