Men's Volleyball Rounds Out Conference Play Tonight Against New Paltz

Violets Attempt to Finish Undefeated in Confrence Play

Taylor Fauntelroy earned his first ever UVC Player of the Week award last week.

The New York University men's volleyball team has reclaimed its #5 ranking in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 15 Division III Poll after winning the regular-season United Volleyball Conference (UVC) title by defeating sixth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology in five sets on Wednesday, March 21.

The Violets (18-6, 10-0) clinched the UVC regular-season title and earned the right to host the UVC Championship tournament with that victory over Stevens. NYU trailed the Ducks (19-5, 9-2) 8-4 in the fifth set before fighting all the way back and earning a 15-13 victory in the decisive game. The rest of the match was just as tight, with the Violets ultimately winning 26-24, 34-32, 20-25, 19-25, 15-13.

NYU looks to finish the season perfect in conference play as they travel to New Paltz, NY, tonight to take on the SUNY New Paltz Hawks (14-8, 6-4). The Violets were scheduled to take on the Hawks on February 29, but severe weather conditions forced that match to be postponed to tonight.

Although the Violets are locked into the #1 seed, this match has significant implications for the Hawks. Two other UVC schools (Elmira College and Vassar College) also have six conference wins, meaning a win against the Violets can be the difference between the fifth and the seventh seed in the UVC Championship Tournament.

"Every conference match is important," said assistant coach Karl France. "If we want to have success going forward, we have to play well tonight."

New Paltz currently leads the UVC in hitting percentage with 694 kills on 1,475 total attacks, giving the team a percentage of .308. The majority of the Hawks' production comes from senior opposite hitter Mike Van Tyne, who leads the conference in kills-per-set (4.04).

NYU relies on a more balanced attack as Taylor Fauntleroy is ranked third in the conference in kills-per-set (4.00), while Nick Capriccio is ranked third in overall hitting percentage and second in service aces-per-set (.46). Fellow teammate Matthew MacDonald is right behind him in third in service aces-per-set (.40). Setter Connor Mortland is the beneficiary of such an evenhanded attack as he leads the conference in assists-per-set (10.69).

All the action can be followed here via webcast or here via live stats.