Stevens Falls to New Paltz in UVC Championship Final

4/14/2019 8:27:01 PM

New Paltz won the United Volleyball Conference championship Sunday afternoon against top-seeded Stevens, automatically booking its spot in the 2019 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship field. The Hawks (24-7 overall) avenged an earlier loss to Stevens, winning the UVC title in four sets (25-21, 26-24, 14-25, 27-25).

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New Paltz won the first two sets, including a thrilling 26-24 victory in set number two. They dropped the fourth before closing out the championship in an exciting 27-25 fourth-set win. 

"It feels amazing. All the hard work this team has put in together, the ups and downs we've experienced," said Hawks junior outside hitter Aaron Carrk. "We really feel like we finally rose to the occasion and got the job done." 
 
After taking the first set 25-21, The second set was a nail-biter throughout. Neither team could get a big lead, with the advantage changing hands throughout the set, as the two teams responded to each run with an unanswered offensive stretch of their own to keep the set even.
 
Senior outside hitter Nick Smith put New Paltz on his back late in the set, giving his team the lead before freshman John Ronan came up with a clutch block to give the Hawks the set at 26-24 and a 2-0 lead.
 
The third set was all Ducks, as Stevens took an early 10-6 lead. The Ducks then went on a four-point run thanks to a service error and three attack errors by the Hawks to boost the advantage to 21-13 for the hosting team, as they closed the set, 25-14.
 
The final set started well for New Paltz, as freshman defensive specialist Dan LaRosa served consecutive aces to take a 10-8 lead. The teams then exchanged service errors to set the score at 16-14. The set was tied again late at 24 thanks to a service error by Stevens, but Carrk served the ball into the net to make the score, 25-24, setting up set-point for the Ducks. 
 
Hawks' junior middle blocker Tevin Skeete took over with two huge blocks late in the deciding fourth set to help win the UVC title for his team, 27-25.
 
"I am happy for our players and also for our supporters," said SUNY New Paltz coach Radu Petrus. "They work very hard in practice. To win UVCs is not at all easy. It's one of the top conferences in Division III men's volleyball."
 
Smith was named the UVC Tournament MVP, as his skillset was on full disply during Sunday's final, with a .357 hitting percentage to go along with a team-high 19 kills in the championship match.
 
Bradley Schneider added 14 kills in his final UVC match, with a .321 hitting percentage, along with three aces and an impressive eight blocks. Carrk slammed down 13 kills, while Skeete had a game-high nine blocks. Matthew Grace tallied a game-high 52 assists for the champions as well. 
 
Stevens' junior David Lehman was the only player for the Ducks in double figures, with 19 kills.
 
The victory gives the Hawks an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, with the first round scheduled to begin April 21.

2019 UVC VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Friday, April 12th
First Round
No. 4 NYU 3, No. 5 MIT 0  
No. 3 St. John Fisher 3, No. 6 Vassar 1 

Saturday, April 13th
Semifinal Round
No. 1 Stevens 3, No. 4 NYU 1 
No. 2 New Paltz 3, No. 3 St. John Fisher 1 

Sunday, April 14th
Finals
No. 2 New Paltz 3, No. 1 Stevens 1