Today, most our team will be heading out of town to enjoy their upcoming week of spring break.  A week of rest and relaxation, as most mid-terms are done.  A week to recharge physically and mentally.  And a week for me to get busy planning practices again.

Because the week after, starting March 27, we begin our 16 days of non-traditional season.  Or what I also refer to as our 2012 pre- preseason.  In this 16 day period, we will put a focus on improving individual skills, vision, and strategy.  We will run activities where our players, thru immediate feedback, will be aware of how well their doing.  And we will also focus on the “new us”.

We will  become a stronger, more connected unit.  We will challenge each other, thereby challenging ourselves.  And we will raise our standards of excellence.  We will do this by answering the following questions:

How do we perceive ourselves?

How do we want others to perceive us?

And, what do we need to do about it?

March 27… cannot wait!

Carrie Hack

Dana Vosilla

Katy Herbst

Marissa King

Melinda DiGiovanna

Recently we learned of a number of individual honors bestowed on our players this year.  We had 5 players recognized by the SUNYAC for strong seasons:
Melinda made 1st Team All SUNYAC, Marissa, Carrie and D-Vo made 2nd Team, and Katy earned Rookie of the Year honors.

Last week, Melinda was named Honorable Mention All-America as a result of her selection to the All-Region team for the NY Region.  This award is a great way for her to cap off an outstanding 4 year career.

In addition, a couple of milestones were achieved this year.  Sophomore libero Carrie Hack surpassed the 1000 dig plateau.  She is well on her way to breaking the all-time record!

Melinda finished her career first  in games played (495), second in career digs (1606) and third in career kills (1298).

Well done ladies!

Heading off to Cortland tomorrow morning for a big match with Geneseo at 6:00pm.  This will be our kickoff to the 2011 SUNYAC Championship Tournament.  The winner of our match gets Fredonia on Friday at 6:00, with the hope to keep advancing to the finals on Saturday at 2pm.  What can we expect?

GREAT VOLLEYBALL!!!!!

This tournament is known for some of the most exciting, fast paced, nail-biting volleyball of the season.  None of us wants our season to end.  So we prepare and play hard to advance another day.

Geneseo is a formidable opponent.  They seem strong defensively and have some hitters who can put the ball down.  I’ve watched enough video on them these last 2 weeks to at least figure that out.

We will go after them aggressively and with great energy.  We want to play Friday, and beyond.  But as I tell our team, I never think it’s about who wants it more.  Both teams want to win.  It comes down to who plays better.  Based on these last 6 weeks, I like our chances against anyone.  No, it won’t be easy.  But it’ll be exciting.

Wish us luck!

At the team banquet on May 1 these swimmers were named as winners of the 5 major New Paltz swimming team awards.

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Most Dedicated: Given to that athlete who best exemplifies commitment, selfless-devotion, and enthusiasm for the team.

Most Dedicated: Allison Wells

Most Dedicated: Matt Gassert

Wellzy: Finished in the Top 8 in the 50 Free, 100 Back, and 100 Free, and swam on the conference championship winning 400 Freestyle Relay.  Also won this award in 2009-2010.

Matt: Attended his first SUNYAC Championship, competingin the 50 free, 100 breast and 200 breast.  Recipient of this award for the third consecutive season.

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Hardest Worker: Given to that athlete that his teammates feel put in the most work and preparation through the year , regularly pushes his or her limits in practice, and acts as a role model for other swimmers to follow.

 

Hardest Worker: Jess Lester

Hardest Worker: Matt Demerest

Jess: Finished 3rd in the 500 Free, 5th in the 200 Free, and 2nd in the 1650.  Also swam on Conference championship winning 400 and 800 freestyle relays.  Set a new school record in the 1000 free, and lowered previous school record marks in the 500 free and 1650 free.  As a Hawk, finished as a 12x SUNYAC individual finalist.

Demo:  Scored in the 100 Fly at this year’s SUNYAC Championships, and contributed in sprint freestyle all season long.  Was named the Hardest worker after the 2008-2009 season as well.  This spring is student teaching in the Long Beach school district.

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Most Improved: Given to that athlete that his teammates feel has made the most significant improvement since one year ago.

Most Improved: Lori Brown

Most Improved: Corey Lomas

Lori:  Scored in the top 8 in 2 events at the

2011 SUNYAC Championships.  She finished 8th in the 100 Fly (1:01.15p)  and 7th in the 200 Fly (2:18.98p).  Both times were significant personal bests for her.  At the 2010 championships, she didn’t score in the 100 Fly (1:03) and made the consol heat of the 200 Fly (2:26).  In addition, Lori also finished with a lifetime best in the 500 Free (5:26), good for 17th place.

Corey:  Scored in the top 8 in all 3 of his individual events at the SUNYAC Championships.  He finished 8th in the 200 Free (1:47.60), 6th in the 100 Back (53.99p), and 8th in the 100 Free (48.13).  A year ago, he went 55.7 in the 100 back and 1:48 in the 200 Free (consol finalist).

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Rookie of the Year: Awarded annually at the end of the swimming season to the rookie chosen by his teammates and coach as the most promising new swimmer.

Rookie of the Year: Chelsea Allocco

Rooke of the Year: Zane Taylor

Chelsea:  Won Conference Titles in the 400 IM and 1650 Free at the SUNYAC Championships, and finished 2nd in the 500 Free.  Set School records in all 3 races.  Was the lead leg of the Conference title winning 800 Freestyle Relay.

Zane:  Scored in both breaststrokes at this year’s Conference Championshps, dropping to 1:01 in the 100 breast and 2:17 in the 200 Breast.  Also swam the 200 Back.

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Most Valuable: Given to that athlete who his or her teammates feel is the biggest factor for success in that season, through his or her swimming talent, natural leadership, or ability to motivate others to perform their best.

Most Valuable: Marissa Morris

Most Valuable: Rob Webb

Marissa:  Won the conference title in the 200 IM and swam on the conference title winning 400 and 800 freestyle relays.  Finished 2nd in the 200 free and 4th in the 200 back.  Two year team captain.  Has won this award for the third consecutive season.

Rob:  Won the conference title in the 400 IM and swam on the 200 medley, 400 medley, and 800 freestyle relay teams.  Finished 2nd in the 200 fly and 4th in the 200 IM.  Two year team captain.

During this past December, junior, Brandan Ujvary and senior, Frank Tlczkowski realized the dream of watching their favorite team, Liverpool, in a  live game at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.  The following is an article, by Brandan Ujvary, describing his experience.

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Soccer has been part of my life as long as I can remember.  I’ve grown up with soccer as if it were my best friend.  The experiences I’ve taken away with me are many, from the mini-goals of my hometown to the high school fields of Long Island, to the colleges and universities throughout New York and now most recently to Anfield, the home of the Liverpool Football Club.  When I think about it, it’s amazing how soccer has evolved in my life and has taken me from my little town of Kings Park, NY all the way to a city some three thousand miles away in England.

For the past ten years now, I’ve come to love and support Liverpool Football Club.  They are a club rich in history and tradition, but most of all success.  After watching many games on TV and seeing and hearing the fans sing their hearts out with such passion, emotion and joy, I just had to go to Liverpool!  I just had to be part of it and had to experience it for myself.

Match day, December 29th, 2010, Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers.  The day finally arrived.  The buzz around the city was clear, the color red was everywhere.  Walking up to the stadium, I began to get the chills, I couldn’t believe it was really happening.  I was really about to set foot in Anfield.  I went to the window to pick up my tickets and believe it or not it got better.  Our seats were in the KOP end, the section only given to those who are devout fans, club members and season ticket holders.  I had died and gone to heaven.  I entered the stadium and saw the simplicity.  No flashy billboards or advertisements.  No cotton candy or hot dog lines.  Just fans shuffling through to their section and seats to get situated for the warm up.  Shortly after, we finally made it out to field view.  For this moment I felt like the best way to put it would be to steal the line from the famous movie “Rudy”.  When Rudy’s father enters Notre Dame stadium he says, “this is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!”  It was unbelievable!  There they were, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres, right before my eyes.  For starters, the TV does no justice at displaying these players’ skills and speed.  Playing forty yard balls like it was nothing, and controlling it with ease.  I could have just watched warm ups and would have been satisfied.  Turns out I probably would have been better off, considering the game ended up with an awful 1-0 defeat to Wolves in a game with few chances and relatively sloppy play. But the sheer atmosphere and experience was still something I’ll never forget.  On the bright side, I still got another game to go to in two days.

The next day we had a free day in Liverpool so we decided to do the tour of Anfield.  It was awesome.  We got to all the facilities and sat in the director’s box.  next, we went down to the locker rooms and got to walk out the tunnel onto the field.  The whole time I just kept envisioning the great players who have walked out the same tunnel onto the field which was something truly to appreciate as a soccer player and a fan of the game.  The tour ended with the museum showcasing the history and success of the club over the years.  this was something I really took away with me on my trip…. the history of Liverpool Football Club.  It was so much more than a game.  It was a way of life for these people, these fans, and these players.  I really don’t think there is anything comparable to it here in the United States.  If I haven’t convinced you yet, then maybe after this next game you might see just what I’m talking about.

New Years Day, Liverpool vs. Bolton Wanderers.  Despite such a poor performance and result just two nights ago, we were back and so were the faithful fans still standing behind their club.  For this game we were also in the KOP end but a bit higher up, right in the middle of the most avid supporters.  The game started off much better and the buzz around the stadium was much different than the last.  I’d say over the course of the ninety minutes match there had probably only accumulated five minutes without some type of chant or song.  The passion cannot be matched anywhere.  Every pass, every tackle, every shot, every corner kick had meaning.  I felt as if I was in the game.  For a brief portion Liverpool looked a little dull and needed some picking up.  I noticed a roar erupt throughout the whole stadium, Steven Gerrard had come off the bench to begin warming up.  The man is god, a legend to the Liverpool fans as well as me.  Unfortunately, right before halftime, Bolton took the lead.  I’ve never felt so deflated and upset.  I stood there in amazement.  I began thinking; did I really just travel all the way to England and watch my team, lose two games back to back?  The second half began and the fans were even louder than before.  It was then that I realized it was us the fans who were singing and putting those players on our back and carrying them forward.  I get the chills just thinking about it now, I can’t explain it.  It’s a feeling that I never felt before.  GOAL!! The place erupted.  A beautiful goal scored right in front of us.  We had hope.  The players answered us fans and something special was about to happen.  We kept on singing.  They kept on playing and my heart was pounding.  The game entered extra time and Liverpool was attacking.  GOAL!!! At this point I may have blacked out from pure elation.  A classroom of four year olds would have been easier to control.  No one knew what to do.  Jumping, singing, hugging random strangers, but it was at that moment we weren’t strangers.  We were all fans and we were all sharing the same joy and emotions.  When that goal was scored, we were all Liverpudlians!

The last few minutes of the game were drowned out with the singing of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” which is Liverpool Football Club’s song.  And nothing sums up Liverpool Football Club better than that.  The song is sung by the fans ensuring their commitment to the club and players through all the ups and downs of the team.

Now, as an athlete and member of the SUNY New Paltz men’s soccer team, I understand this special bond of belonging to a part of a team.  Working together to achieve our goals, that’s what it is all about.  By not letting anyone “walk alone” we accomplish so much more together than any one individual.  For the past three years, I have had the privilege of being an athlete here at SUNY New Paltz, and I am looking forward to another rewarding year with my teammates.  We want to continue competing and contributing our best so that no one will ever “walk alone”.

Rob Webb will certainly be remembered for his swimming accomplishments as a New Paltz Hawk, which have included multiple conference titles in the 400 IM.  This spring, however, his accomplishments outside of the pool have started to distinguish him as one of the most decorated New Paltz student-athletes in recent memory.

Webb has been named a recipient of both the SUNY Chancellor Award, and also has been named one of New Paltz’s “Who’s Who in American Universities” students.

About The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

The Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence are SUNY-level honors conferred to acknowledge and provide system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and to encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

About “Who’s Who in American Universities” Award

Each year, a select group of students is called forward to accept one of the most prestigious awards the academic community can bestow — selection to Who’s Who Among Students. This exclusive honor is conferred by more than 2,842 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and is symbolized by the presentation of an award certificate.

Through our years of serving higher education, Who’s Who Among Students has become one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation, having earned the overwhelming respect of college faculties and administrations. And for the students – the outstanding campus leaders of the year – national recognition by the Who’s Who program marks a pinnacle of scholastic achievement.

Congratulations to the NP team for defeating the Hawks team in our annual GPA Challenge!  The NP group had a combined fall semester grade point average of 3.31, while the Hawks achieved a very respectable 3.29.  I’m a very proud coach!

Each fall, we split the team in half, as equal as possible, and create a challenge to see which group can achieve a higher grade point average.  On the line… a dinner cooked and served by the losing group to the winning group.  So, sometime this spring, we’ll have our dinner.  And the best part is, coaches are always on the winning team

Also worth noting, 9 of our student-athletes made Dean’s List, and 2 earned a perfect 4.0 for the fall semester.  As our team grade point average for the fall was a 3.30, our next challenge is to keep this 3.30 (or higher) to qualify for an AVCA Team Academic Award for the second time in the last few years.  Let’s get this great honor!  And great job ladies!

This morning I noticed a true sign of spring, as one of our resident hawks was sitting outside of the Elting Gym doors.  He won the battle over a poor squirrel who didn’t have a chance, and let me get very close to him while he was on the ground. Soon there were other curious students stopping and snapping up photos on their cell phones.

Our mascot eventually flew off and perched himself in a nearby pine…….

Go Hawks!!!

Coach Katori