POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 28, 2014) – A rivalry is renewed Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. in Kenyon Hall as the Vassar College men's volleyball team opens United Volleyball Conference (UVC) play against local Hudson Valley rival New Paltz. Vassar enters the week 0-1, having dropped a four-set match to No. 5 Baruch College Friday evening in Kenyon. Vassar is looking to avenge last year's sweep at the hands of the Hawks, as New Paltz earned a pair of victories in straight sets.

Game Details
Opponent: vs. New Paltz (4-0/0-0 UVC)
(New Paltz Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Kenyon Hall (500)
Date: January 29, 2014
Time: 7 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

What To Look For
The highly contested rivalry has been back and forth over the last few seasons, as New Paltz picked up two wins last year, with Vassar chalking up victories in the previous two. The Hawks were picked No. 2 in the UVC poll this season, but have a wealth of talent returning. The balanced attack and 6-2 offense from NP will make it tough on Vassar to contain, but the Brewers defense on the back row showed well against Baruch. If Vassar can disrupt their visitors on offense, then captains Joe Pyne (Los Angeles, CA/Oakwood Secondary) and Reno Kriz (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) will look to match their combined 31 kills from Friday.

A Look at the Hawks (4-0, 0-0 UVC)
The No. 4 Hawks return pretty much their entire team off last year's squad that finished third in the UVC, going 27-6 on the year and 8-3 within the league. New Paltz has started the season strong, going 4-0 during its first week of play, earning the title at the Roadrunner Invitational this past weekend. The biggest returner for the Hawks is UVC Rookie and National Newcomer of the Year Tim Ferriter, who also picked up the league's first Player of the Week honor after he averaged 4.11 kills per set and posted a .492 hitting percentage for the week in addition to adding 0.89 digs per set and 0.56 blocks per set.

Ferriter is just one of many players that hits for the Hawks, as their system allows for multiple setters and hitters. Key to New Paltz's success on will be sophomore setter Christian Smith and junior setter John Lutjen, both of whom paced the Hawk attack by setting in a 6-2 offense. Despite the fact that the pair was new to the program in 2013, New Paltz ended up leading NCAA Division III in assists per set (12.82). Smith and Lutjen each were All-UVC Honorable Mention picks in 2013, dishing out 5.12 and 5.07 assists per set, respectively. Another returning All-UVC Honorable Mention selection is sophomore middle blocker Christopher Husmann, who poses a threat both offensively and defensively. Husmann ranked fourth in the UVC and seventh in NCAA Division III in hitting percentage in 2013, hitting at a .435 (258-58-460) clip.

Potential Starting Lineup: S - Christian Smith, OH - Brian Smith, MB - Steven Woessner, MB - Christopher Husmann, OH - Tim Ferriter, S - John Lutjen, L – Victor Tuminelli.

Against New Paltz All-Time
The two teams have both had their time during this rivalry, as Vassar College leads the all-time series 25-20, dating back to 1989. VC has won eight of the last 11 meetings between these two squads, though NP knocked off Vassar in the previous four before that. VC is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Poughkeepsie.

Previous Box Scores: (Mar. 30, 2013) – (Mar. 6, 2013) – (Mar. 21, 2012) – (Feb. 9, 2011)

For The Kill
Vassar is ranked fourth in the UVC in total kills, averaging 12.00 per set. Joe Pyne is currently second in the conference, with 4.25 kills per set, while Reno Kriz is sixth, with 3.50 kills per set.

All We Need Is One
Vassar is also ranked fourth in the conference in service aces, averaging 1.50 per set. Joe Pyne leads the way, ranking second in the UVC, with 0.75 aces per set.

Helping Hand
The Brewers are ranked fourth in the UVC in assists, averaging 11.50 per set. Junior Colin White-Dzuro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Royal St. George) is currently second in the conference in assists, dishing out 10.25 helpers per set.

Colin Crew
The Brewers have three players with the same name on their roster: Colin White-Dzuro, Colin Fearn-Johnson (Honolulu, HI/Punahou), and Colin Peros (Honolulu, HI/Punahou). Two of them, Fearn-Johnson and Peros, come from the same high school, hailing from Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

All Over The Place
The Vassar men's volleyball team has 12 players, with nine coming from different states or provinces. California, Hawaii and Pennsylvania all have two players that call that state home.

Here For A While
The Brewers come into the season with a young and inexperienced roster, boasting just one senior in Joe Pyne. Seven of the 11 players on the squad are freshman or sophomores this year.

Missing Men
The Brewers come into this season without five of seven starters from last year's team, including AVCA All-American Matt Elgin. Also not back this season are Charlie Caldwell, John Konow, Christian La Du and Patrick Donahue.

Rookie Debut
Freshman libero Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) posted 10 digs in his first collegiate game, playing all four sets for the Brewers.

Up Next
Vassar will host Elms College (2-2) and Ramapo College (2-2) this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kenyon Hall in a tri-match in Poughkeepsie, NY. New Paltz will head to Union, NJ to take on Kean University and Lancaster Bible College Saturday.