Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's volleyball team is 1-1 on the season, following their defeat to the Hobart Statesmen and their victory over the Russell Sage Gators. The Wildcats now prepare for day two of the "SUNY Poly Invitational" where they are scheduled to face off against the Westminster Blue Jays and the Buffalo State Bengals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

GAME 1: SUNY Poly vs Hobart

The set started with both teams exchanging points, with Joshua Slater's kill giving SUNY Poly an early 1-0 lead. Hobart responded with a series of strong plays, including a kill from Andrew Kim. Service errors and attack mistakes on both sides kept the set competitive, but Hobart's consistency and strong plays pushed them to a 12-8 lead. Despite a few key kills from SUNY Poly's Peter Gottler and Adam Brawn, the Wildcats struggled with errors, allowing Hobart to extend their lead. As the set progressed, Hobart's offense continued to shine and eventually led them to a 25-20 set victory. 

The set began with both teams exchanging points early. Hobart opened the scoring with a service ace, but SUNY Poly responded with strong plays of their own. Hobart's aggressive play began to take control as the set progressed. A series of service aces extended Hobart's lead to 14-8. The Wildcats had trouble with attack and service errors, which allowed Hobart to maintain their advantage. SUNY Poly managed to string together a few points with kills from Peter Gottler, but Hobart's defense and timely offensive plays kept the Wildcats at bay. Despite some late efforts, including a kill from Jason Aubrey, SUNY Poly could not recover, and Hobart closed out the set 25-19.

SUNY Poly took a slight lead early in the third set with a series of successful plays, including a service ace by Andrew Baaki. However, Hobart's aggressive attack helped them regain momentum and tie the score at 7-7. The middle of the set saw both teams struggling with service and attack errors. SUNY Poly's Brawn and Gottler were consistent on offense, but Hobart continued to answer with key kills. Despite some late efforts from SUNY Poly, including a crucial kill from Gottler, Hobart closed out the set on top 25-22 and won the match 3-0. 

GAME 2: SUNY Poly vs Russell Sage 

Russell Sage started strong with an early 2-0 lead, thanks to a ball handling error by Thomas McNulty and a kill from Spencer Cooper. However, SUNY Poly quickly responded, with Adam Brawn and Joshua Slater contributing to a 3-2 lead. As the set continued, both teams struggled with service and attack errors, but SUNY Poly would ride some late momentum to win the set 29-27. 

Russell Sage was in control for most of the second set, while SUNY Poly struggled with a series of service and attack errors. The Wildcats would turn the set around midway through, going on a run that would give them a slight advantage. Strong kills from Andrew Baaki and Brendan Palmer helped the Wildcats secure the 25-21 set victory. 

The third set opened with errors from both teams, including service mistakes and attack faults. SUNY Poly's Peter Gottler and Russell Sage's Dylan Fox were key players in the early exchanges, but both teams struggled to find consistency with errors on both sides. As the set continued, Gottler, alongside teammates Andrew Baaki and Jason Aubrey, helped SUNY Poly pull ahead with strong attacks and timely kills. Russell Sage responded with key plays of their own, but could not overcome SUNY Poly who would go on to win the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.