Second-year Men’s Volleyball player Brian Smith was picked as UVC Player of the Week. Smith is the second Hawks player this season to be given this honor.
“UVC Player of the Week is a great honor to receive no matter what year you are, and to be one of the younger guys who have received it is a great honor in itself,” Smith said.
According to nphawks.com, Smith appeared in 23 matches and acquired 54 sets for his team in 2011. Smith totaled 54 digs, 141 kills and 23 blocks.
Smith said he credits his confidence for the success. He said confidence is something that comes naturally to him and it is a determining factor of success.
“As an individual, I definitely have a quiet confidence about myself, but when it comes to the team I have no problem showing them my confidence in us as a unit,” Smith said. “This award is a great testament to our team because nobody can receive this award without great teammates helping on and off the court.”
Head Coach Radu Petrus said he believes Smith has shown great improvement over the years he has been playing for the team.
“Brian has more experience and has improved his volleyball skills over these years,” Petrus said.
Petrus said Smith has competed against the best and came out on top, having a high-hitting percentage against No. 8 Stevens Institute of Technology.
“He has a great hitting percentage against one of the top volleyball teams in Div. III No. 8 Stevens,” Petrus said.
Smith was humble about receiving the UVC Player of the Week award and said he was in complete shock when he received the news via text message from his mom.
“My mother follows the New Paltz athletic site religiously and she was actually the one who texted me and first told me that I had received this honor,” Smith said.
Smith said he was happier for his team and the way they played against Stevens in the Hawk Center on Feb. 15.
“We just had a great team win handing Stevens Tech their first loss of the season and I thought I played pretty well but I was more happy for the team than my performance,” Smith said.
Smith said the honor extends beyond being an individual accolade.
“I’m just proud to say I can represent my family, my team and the university in receiving this award,” Smith said.