NEW PALTZ, N.Y. –The fourth-seeded Hobart volleyball team saw its season come to a close as it fell in the UVC semifinals to top-seeded New Paltz. With the result, the Statesmen conclude their season with a 14-14 overall record, while the Hawks improve to 22-6 overall and advance to tomorrow's title match.

The semifinal matchup saw both sides put up impressive numbers. Hobart combined for 39 kills (.183) compared to New Paltz's 50 kills (.356). The Statesmen held a 10-9 edge in service aces, while the Hawks held a 6-5 advantage in blocks. New Paltz also held a 37-30 advantage in digs in the win.

First-year Harry Fromberg led Hobart with 10 kills (.125), four digs, one block and one service ace. Junior Noah DeLong chipped in nine kills (.200), six digs, three aces and two blocks, while classmate Aiden Kemora added six kills (.200), six digs, one block and one ace. Sophomore Kian Kischke recorded five kills (.417) out of the middle and added four blocks and one ace.

New Paltz was led by Matt Teplansky's 13 kills (.310), seven digs, two aces and one block. Goeff Ndoria added 12 kills (.296), three digs and one ace, while Nikko Tenedorio chipped in 11 kills (.316), seven digs, and three service aces. Matt Marusza tallied a match-high 40 assists in the win.

MATCH MOMENTS:

• New Paltz came out hot, firing off 14 kills (.429) in the opening set. The Hawks held Hobart to a match-low five kills (.043) and forced them into four hitting errors. New Paltz jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as it closed out set one on top, 25-17.
• The Hawks continued to roll in set two, firing off 13 kills (.650) on zero errors. The Statesmen fought back with 11 kills (.200) of their own but were matched with an efficient Hawk side that could not be stopped. New Paltz closed out set two on top, 25-15.
• Hobart bounced back in a must-win third set, putting down 12 kills (.280), while holding New Paltz to 11 kills (.391). The Statesmen jumped out to a large lead early but the Hawks chipped away at their lead as the set went on. A Hawk service error would close out the set in favor of Hobart, 25-23.
• The battle continued in the fourth set as Hobart combined for 12 kills (.121) compared to New Paltz's 12 kills (.121). The two sides traded points and the momentum throughout the entire set until the Hawks took advantage of back-to-back errors by the Statesmen to close out the match with a 28-26 win in set four.

MATCH STATS:

• Fromberg led the way with 10 kills (.125), while DeLong added nine (.200). Kemora chipped in six (.200), while Kischke added five (.417) out of the middle. First-year Nicholas Humphries added four kills (.333) off of the bench, while sophomore Alain Malcolm put down three (.222).
• Junior Zack Farren and first-year Tor Boughal led the Statesmen from the setter position and tallied 21 and 15 assists each, respectively. The duo combined for seven digs and one ace in the loss.
• Hobart combined for 30 digs as a team and were led by DeLong and Kemora with six each. Farren added five, while Fromberg chipped in four. Malcolm and junior libero Gavin Meador chipped in three digs against the Hawks.
• The Statesmen combined for six blocks as a team and were led by Kischke with four. DeLong added two, while Kemora chipped in one block.
• The Purple and Orange served up 10 aces in the loss and were led by DeLong and Malcolm with three each. Kemora, Farren, Fromberg and Kischke served up one ace each against New Paltz.

COACHES CORNER:

"It was not the result we wanted today, however the amount of growth this program has made in three seasons is something we all should hold our heads high about," said Head Coach Steve England. "The first year we laid the foundation, last year we put together the framework and this year we added the roof. I am so excited to start decorating and adding the furniture to the wonderful home these incredible young men have created. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. Go Hobart!"

UP NEXT:
 
Hobart will be back in action tomorrow as it takes on either second-seeded MIT or third-seeded NYU in the UVC championship match. First serve is set for 2 p.m. in Hawk Center.