Women’s Volleyball Wins First SUNYAC Championship; Set Record for Wins

NEW PALTZ, NY- The New Paltz State women’s volleyball team returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season with a 32-5 regular season record. The Hawks in the first round of regional’s defeated Roger Williams University in straight sets to set the program record with their 33rd win of the season. The Hawks would fall to Salisbury University in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in a five set thriller.

Senior middle hitter Brittany Coyle led the Hawks with 341 kills and 118 blocks on the season. Coyle earned six honors this season; First Team All-SUNYAC, SUNYAC Player-of-the-Year, SUNYAC All-Tournament MVP, AVCA New York Region Team, All-Regional Tournament Team and All-American Honorable Mention. Coyle finished her career fourth all-time in kills (1216) and third all-time in blocks (401) at New Paltz.

Senior setter Stephanie Bova led the team in assists (1114) and moves into second all-time in assists with 3114. Bova earned four honors this season; First Team All-SUNYAC, SUNYAC All-Tournament Team, AVCA New York Region Team and All-American Honorable Mention.

Senior right side hitter Alison Kiernan also earned four honors this season; First Team All-SUNYAC, SUNYAC All-Tournament Team, AVCA New York Region Team and All-American Honorable Mention. She was second on the team with 285 kills and third in blocks with 51.

Senior defensive specialist Priska Wilson and sophomore outside hitter Melinda DiGiovanna earned Second Team All-SUNYAC. The senior class of Coyle, Bova, Kiernan, Wilson and Kelcey Noble finish their career with the most wins (119) in a four year career and had a .748 winning percentage.

Sophomore Loren Crabbe led the defense with 476 digs and Wilson was second on the team with 439. DiGiovanna led the team with 45 aces and Crabbe was second with 27.

The Hawks defeated Williams College for the time in school history and won four tournaments. The team won the New Paltz Hawks Invitational for the sixth straight year and was crowned champions at the Stevens Tournament, Wellesley Tournament and Skidmore Tournament.

Head Coach Matt Giufre won his third SUNYAC Coach-of-the-Year Award with a 30-5 overall record and 7-1 in the SUNYAC. The Hawks went 2-0 at the SUNYAC Championship held at New Paltz for their first women’s volleyball SUNYAC Championship and finished the season with a 33-6 overall record.