New Paltz Sports Information Department
New Paltz, NY — Two Hawks have solidified their place in national volleyball history.
Cate DiGiacomo and Jamie Albrecht were named to the 2023 AVCA Division III All-American Honorable Mention list, ranked amongst the nation's best Division III volleyball players.
"It's great to see Cate and Jamie awarded Honorable Mention All-American," said coach Matt Giufre. "They both had fantastic seasons and are key reasons for our success."
Transferring from Springfield College, Albrecht was ready to make her mark on the court during her first season as a Hawk. In her inaugural season at SUNY New Paltz, Albrecht went into and finished her 2023 campaign as an indispensable offensive threat for the team. She was second on the team in kills (299) and services aces (35). She also played a vital role at the net as a blocker, also coming second on the team in that statistical category with 48 total.
Albrecht produced offensive opportunities that allowed the Hawks to take numerous important wins, especially in SUNYAC play. She had 17 and 20 kills against SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo, respectively, which lifted SUNY New Paltz to victory against two powerhouse conference competitors. Her performance against SUNY Geneseo not only helped the team win but produced three season-highs: in kills (20), digs (21), and total points (23.5).
While being a standout player on the roster, Albrecht stayed grateful for not only volleyball, but for this past year altogether.
"I moved to New Paltz to be in a healthier atmosphere. I didn't move here with the intention of receiving these accolades; instead, I wanted to follow my passion and give it everything I had," she said. "This resulted in these amazing successes, which proved to me that my hard work had paid off."
Along with her first All-American Honorable Mention, she was also named to the All-SUNYAC First Team and the AVCA All-Region First Team.
"This season was one of the most impactful teams I have been on thanks to the incredible women and two incredible coaches. These successes would not have been possible if these individuals hadn't been by my side," Albrecht added. "Although the season didn't end how we wanted it to, I have gained some remarkable leadership skills from all of my teammates."
The senior class of this year's team has certainly set the bar high for the Hawks next season, especially from fellow All-American Cate DiGiacomo.
DiGiacomo has been on the court for SUNY New Paltz for the past three seasons and has kept on improving her game throughout her career. After her freshman campaign in 2020 didn't come to fruition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a stellar 2021 season, starting in 25 out of 28 matches played, and ended the season with 703 assists and an impressive defensive stat of 222 digs.
She established herself as a vital member of the Hawks squad in 2022, increasing her total assists to 762 in fewer sets played than her previous season, and having her career-high 55 assists in a match against Kean College. She brought in some major accolades, including All-SUNYAC Second Team, AVCA All-Region and was named an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
In her last season, DiGiacomo was able to go the extra mile and made history in more than one way. The co-captain of the squad surpassed the 2,000-career assist mark, ending her final season with a stunning 829 assists, 191 digs and 18 total blocks. To bookend her career, she was yet again named to the All-SUNYAC Second Team, the AVCA All-Region First Team and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention.
"This award is a big honor and I wouldn't have finished my career as the player I became without my amazing coaches and teammates — I am so grateful for all of them," said DiGiacomo.
The team wrapped up this season as the SUNYAC Championship runner-up and ended the regular season 20-7 overall.
"They both had fantastic seasons and are key reasons for our success," said Giufre. "It's easy to see how great they are on the court, and they're also great students, amazing teammates, and incredible people. I am very proud to coach them."
Albrecht will return next year for her senior campaign and is ready to do so as a strong leader for next year's squad. "This team has grown so much, and I have grown so much as a person, it has meant the world to me to be a part of such an amazing team," she said. "I cannot wait to see what next year will bring."
Looking to the future, DiGiacomo will retire from the court, doing so being known as a player who truly left an impact on the program and on her fellow athletes.
"This season was the best experience I could have asked for, knowing we all did as much as we could and getting to do it with the best people," DiGiacomo said. "I know this program has a bright future and I look forward to cheering them on as an alumni."
