Utica, N.Y. — The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team showed stretches of strong play on Friday night, but ultimately fell in straight sets to SUNY Geneseo, 25–18, 25–20, and 25–17. The loss drops SUNY Poly to 6–13 (0-6 Empire 8) on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly traded points early with Geneseo, highlighted by strong kills from Daniella Aluisio and Kassity Cruz to keep the score close. Abby Newell added a pair of key swings and Catherine McCourt contributed an ace as the Wildcats fought to an 8–8 tie. However, the Knights began to separate midway through the frame thanks to a string of service aces from Carolyn Mack and a handful of Poly attack errors. Despite another late surge that included kills from Cruz, Newell, and Jade Taylor, Geneseo capitalized on their serving runs to close the set 25–18.
The second set featured SUNY Poly's best offensive rhythm of the night. Cruz and Aluisio connected early on sets from Grace Southwick, while McCourt and Newell chipped in with kills and aces to push the Wildcats in front 8–5. The two teams traded blows through the middle portion of the set, but once again Geneseo used pressure from the service line and timely kills by Kathryn Barba and Sophie Hunter to pull away late. Poly showed grit down the stretch with DeCarr and Newell each finding points, but Geneseo held on to take the frame, 25–20.
In the third, SUNY Poly again started strong behind Cruz, who tallied multiple kills and an ace to help build an early 4–2 advantage. Geneseo responded quickly with a balanced attack that featured Ayla Pas'cal and Sydney Leigh-Manuell at the net, sparking a 6–1 run. The Wildcats continued to battle behind Newell and Aluisio, but service aces from Barba and steady play from the Knights' front line extended the margin. A late kill from Newell gave Poly a brief lift, but Geneseo closed the match with a 25–17 decision to complete the sweep.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will be back on home court on October 18th at 1:00 P.M. for a matchup against the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles.
