NEW PALTZ, NY — State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball star and senior co-captain Matthew Grace was named an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American for the second time in his career, including earning First-Team honors in 2020 after a season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"To be recognized with a group of incredible players, especially Nick [O'Malley] and Aaron [Carrk] and to be recognized on the first team as one of the top players in the country, is a really cool feeling that makes the hard work worth it," said Grace.
 
The four-year Hawk finished this year with 19 kills and only four errors at net. He assisted on 693 points, averaging an impressive 11 assists per set, and scored from behind the line 15 times. His game-winning ace against NYU in the fifth set was only one of several moments where he came up with clutch serves for his team. 
He excelled on the defensive side this year too, recording 88 digs and 15 blocks, helping the Hawks earn more than 100 digs over their opponents, as SUNY New Paltz never fell beneath the fourth spot in the AVCA coaches poll all season.
 
Although volleyball is now his focus, Grace didn't always play growing up, getting into the sport in middle school.
 
"I started playing volleyball in seventh grade. My step dad told me I should try out for the team because he used to play a lot of beach volleyball," Grace said. "I figured it was just another sport to do, and since then I've really loved it."
 
He was applying to universities with top programs in Division III volleyball when New Paltz won its first National championship in 2016.
 
"I was sending out a lot of emails to coaches at top teams in the country, and New Paltz was having a historic season that year. I was really interested and Robbie [Nolan] was too," the Hawk senior said. "Then they won the national championship and it just seemed like a good fit. I also had a really good visit and met all the guys that were there, and it's turned out a good place for me."
 
The Hawks reached the NCAA championship again the next year against Springfield, with Grace playing a major role in their march to the finals.
 
"My freshman year we played in the national championship, and that was an incredible experience to be there on that stage the first year."
 
Head coach Radu Petrus knew from the beginning that he had scouted a special player. 
 
"Matt was the best setter in Long Island back in the days when I recruited him at 16," Petrus said. "Anybody is coachable, but Matt is somehow special. He catches on very fast to our offensive strategy. The impact on the team as setter is like a [quarterback] in football."
In order to continue being one of the best teams in the country and earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament, Grace understands that he and his team need to make sacrifices in order to once again be the best in the nation. 
 
"You need to sacrifice a lot of your time, and flat out work harder than everyone else in the country," he said. "To win championships you gotta sacrifice egos. You can't be selfish, you gotta be selfless and support your guys."
 
The next year the team took getting to the tournament for granted, and just weren't as focused. SUNY New Paltz ended up not making NCAAs, and after that they knew they weren't going to let it happen again.
 
At the start of last season, the Hawks were prepared to work harder than anyone else in the country. They rallied over the entire course of the year, and got hot at the right time, taking down rival Springfield in the NCAA semifinal before defeating the University of California, Santa Cruz for the national championship. 
 
"It was a once in a lifetime kinda thing, an awesome moment as a player and a person," Grace said.
 
Grace's favorite memory from the national championship run was the quarterfinal game facing Endicott College, where tied at 13-13 in the final set Grace won a point off an overpass, tilting the game in the Hawks' favor.
 
This year the Holbrook, NY native broke the SUNY New Paltz record for most assists at 4,102, but remained humble when talking of his achievements.
 
"Setting is truly a team stat. Nationally we're always one of the top teams offensively. I have to give credit to everyone who makes my job easier," Grace said. "There's been a ton of great, great setters who came before me, so I'm fortunate to have also learned a lot from them."
 
The Hawks setter is one of the most competitive players on the squad. His teammate Cam Clark, a sophomore setter, agreed and spoke of what he is like during practice.   
"What [Grace] does best is to get everyone to play as a team. When I came in he was as competitive as he is now. The most competitive guy on the floor every single match," said Clark. "If you know Matt Grace on or off the court you know he will do whatever he possibly can to win. He tries to do that every time he steps on the court."
 
"He knows the game in and out," Clark continued. "Going through every batting drill every day, he gives me every pointer he can to make me a better player. He's really helped me. It was a great experience to come in and learn from him for the last few years. He's one of the most knowledgeable guys I've ever been around in volleyball." 
 
Clark stressed that his captain will always think of the team first, but can also be a jokester.
 
"No matter how the season is going, in practice, he's there to do the best for the team," Clark said. "He gets us energized before games, and gets the team to rally around each other to come together for a better chance of winning a national championship. 
 
"He's a big jokester too," Clark added. "When we practice one-two combinations he knows when to be serious and what the team needs at that point, but also makes jokes to hype up the mood."
 
SUNY New Paltz head coach Radu Petrus is looking forward to having his starting setter back, as the Hawks will attempt to defend their NCAA Division III title again next year. 
 
"Hopefully he will be back next year and make for another great season for New Paltz."

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