New Paltz volleyball player Pat Wing ends his college career with a host of prestigious honors. The fifth-year student athlete was named an AVCA All-American for the third consecutive year, with this being his second first-team AVCA All American selection. Wing is one of only a few men’s volleyball players to achieve such a feat, becoming one of only three Hawks to ever be a three time nominee. In addition to this, Wing was named to the all UVC first team for the third year in a row.
“Everyone wants to get recognized for their hard work,” Wing said. “I was fortunate enough to get recognized quite a bit through New Paltz through the AVCA through the UVC.”
Despite Wing’s individual success in his junior year, the team struggled to find the success that he hoped they would have. In response to this, Wing decided to switch positions from middle to opposite in hopes that the change could help the team succeed. With these changes, Wing stacked impressive seasons dominating the court at both positions and receiving All-UVC and All-American recognition. “The coolest thing for me was being able to see that I was able to do that. I was capable of competing with pretty much anybody in any position,” said Wing.
Wing was dominate in his final year. He averaged 4.74 kills and 5.29 points per set and hit 0.343 on 822 attempts throughout the season. In total, Wing played in 23 matches, starting in 17 of them, and had a total of 434 points, 389 kills. Wing led the team in all of these offensive categories. On the defensive end, Wing also played well, finishing the year with 114 digs while averaging 1.34 digs per set. Wing also had 32 blocks and averaged 0.39 blocks per set. These statistics set him apart as one of the best players in the nation, ranking fourth in kills per set and eighth in total kills despite playing in only 82 sets.
Wing credited his unique attitude towards the game as a major key in his success. “I kind of have an unconventional way of playing. I joke around. I’m not as serious as people might expect me to be from the outside looking in, because all they see is just me on the court.” He continued. “I lead with my play rather than words, I just play and show my younger teammates what the older guys did for me when I was there. This is how you got to do it. Just shut your mouth and work on it.”
Wing came into the program at a unique time in the school’s history. When Wing joined, the team had just won a national championship and as a rookie Wing was immediately surrounded by greatness. “I think getting right into it with those guys definitely was a big factor for my accomplishments now.”
Wing hails from Massapequa, Long Island, a town whose players played a major role in the development and legacy of the New Paltz volleyball program. “Ten years ago or so, a kid from Massapequa came to New Paltz and started playing volleyball. He got his brother to go there and his brother’s friends. Fast forward three years, that’s the team that won the 2016 national championship. So to be able to be from the same town as those guys that really pioneered New Paltz volleyball and then also to be able to throw my hat in the ring with those guys, it’s really cool to me.”