Box Score New Paltz, NY – The State University of New York at New Paltz women's volleyball team celebrated senior night in a big way with a straight set win over the Bard Raptors. The Hawks honored Ruby Klein, Veronica Matedero, and Maddie Zwickl in a brief pre-game ceremony, but head coach Matt Giufre expanded on what the three graduating players have meant to the program later.
 

"Ruby has really embodied the spirit of our team the last three years," said Giufre. "She's such a self-less hard worker and just cares deeply about their performance and experience as students and as friends. She's a really tough special kid and has been the definition of what you want players here to embody."
 
"Maddie came here as a freshmen and the starting setter position was really just put upon her and there wasn't an opportunity for a learning curve. She's matured a lot as a leader and as a role model. This year especially she's taken on mentoring the two freshmen setters and teaching them every square inch of what she knows to make sure that position is in good hands when she leaves."
 
"Veronica has been ready to take over as the voice in charge for the last couple of years and this was her year to do it. She was somebody that didn't play a whole lot when she first got here and just worked and worked and worked as a gym rat to create an opportunity for her to get on the court. Veronica had to claw and scratch her way to get on the court, but it never deterred her to become the level of player that she is now."

 
The Hawks jumped out to an early lead behind the strong serving of Matedero and never trailed in the first set after the 5-0 lead. Although it was senior night, freshmen Julie Greenspan came out firing in the first set recording four kills in the first 11 points. The Raptors found themselves down 24-12 and made a late push but after running five straight points a kill from Maddie Van Pelt ended the first set.
 
Bard took some of the momentum from the end of the first set into the second as they jumped out to a 5-2 lead. SUNY New Paltz was able to get some of their younger players on the court in the second set and freshmen setter Caleigh Carr helped steady the Hawks to come back and take a 25-16 win in the set.
 
"We have really good players on our team and to get them into a match is something that they've earned," said Giufre. "Caleigh hasn't had much of an opportunity yet so to get her some sets is big for her down the road."
 
The third set saw a look from the Hawks that they hadn't shown anybody all year long. Maddie Zwickl moved to the outside for a few rotations and put down a great swing late in the set to give SUNY New Paltz a 19-16 lead. When asked if this could be a switch happening again down the road Giufre replied, "We're not going to see a switch. That is a one-time senior gift opportunity and that won't happen again."
 
Olivia D'Antonio sealed the match 25-17 with an ace for the Hawks to top off the Senior Night on a high note.
 
Zwickl dished out 22 assists while also recording two kills on six attempts. Julie Greenspan and Taylor Cimillo led the way offensively with 8 and 7 kills, respectively. Matedero served up two aces to go along with her usual solid defensive play along the back line. Klein also found her way into the box score in the match recording a kill and a block assist on the night.
 
The Hawks get back on the court tomorrow with two matches at Bard College against Hunter College and Mount Holyoke at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.