Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Radu Petrus earned his 100th career victory with a win over The Sage Colleges on Feb. 4. The Hawks won all three sets by scores of 25-21, 25-19 and 25-11.
This is Petrus’ sixth year coaching the UVC’s 12th ranked team. This season, Petrus is joined by his new assistant Tony Bonilla.
Petrus said he makes sure he’s clear with the volleyball rules to his team can play well on the court.
“I update my coaching techniques accordingly with new volleyball rules and our student athletes’ physical and technical abilities and skills,” Petrus said.
Petrus’ expectations for his team were heightened by their win over rival No. 8 Stevens Institute of Technology. Petrus hopes that this victory will carry on over into the rest of the games.
“I am hoping that victory from last night [Feb. 4] will give our team members more confidence and to trust in themselves in their power and potential to play great volleyball,” Petrus said.
Bonilla is the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program for SUNY New Paltz. Bonilla said time management skills are important for anyone holding the position.
“I have to say that one of my best attributes as a professional is my ability to balance my work and the ability to apply good time management skills,” Bonilla said. “I was the Men and Women’s Head Volleyball coach for eight years and at the same time an EOP advisor, took graduate classes and taught a class. With this full plate I was able to produce quality work and be effective in all.”
In his sixth year coaching the Men’s Volleyball team, fourth-year Captain Kevin Stross said the team has produced more wins since becoming comfortable with Petrus and his coaching styles.
“Our coach Radu Petrus has been a great inspiration for me as a player,” Stross said. “He has the professional experience that none of us have and he does the best he can to try to physically and mentally prepare us for our matches.”
Stross said this also attests to the chemistry the team has on the courts, both for games and practices.
“This year, I believe we have one of the closest group of guys we have ever had,” Stross said. “Other than playing volleyball together everyday, we all hang out and see each other on the weekends and are always there for each other.”
The 2012 roster is made up of second- and fourth-year students who are all after the NCAA Div. III trophy after falling shorter than expected the past three seasons.
“He [Petrus] won’t be satisfied until we are holding the NCAA Division III title over our heads at the end of the year,” Stross said.
In the Hawks quest for the championship they strive on coming in early for practice, working harder than any team in the conference and their “championship-minded” coach.
The Hawks next match will be against Medaille College on March 10 in Rochester, N.Y.