Morrisville, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team split their first day at the SUNY Morrisville invitational. The Wildcats opened their day with a defeat to the Mustangs before downing the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes 3-1. The Wildcats will be back in action on August 30th for day two of the Invitational. 

GAME ONE: SUNY Poly vs SUNY Morrisville

After an early back-and-forth exchange, the Wildcats found their rhythm midway through the first set. Freshman Abby Newell was a key catalyst, racking up several kills, including one off an assist from Grace Southwick. Southwick herself had a standout run at the service line late in the set, delivering back-to-back aces to tighten up the score. Despite their aggressive push down the stretch, SUNY Poly was ultimately edged out by a score of 25-21. 

The Wildcats opened the second set with a burst of energy, jumping out to a quick 4–0 lead behind a strong kill from Kassity Cruz. As Morrisville began to settle into the set, SUNY Poly continued to answer. Abby Newell delivered a powerful kill midway through the frame, set up nicely by Southwick, who continued to play a key role as both a setter and server. The Wildcats would capitalize on several Morrisville errors, including multiple service mistakes and attack misfires, which allowed SUNY Poly to stay within range deep into the set. However, a late run from the Mustangs would seal them a 25-16 victory. 

SUNY Poly started the third set with aggressive play at the net. Erica Mumbulo and Teagan Hopkins teamed up for early kills to set the tone. The Wildcats' offense showed great versatility, with setter Catherine McCourt connecting with multiple hitters, including Daniella Aluisio and Hopkins, to keep Morrisville's defense guessing. Abby Newell energized the team with a service ace midway through the set that pulled the Wildcats closer. Moments later, the Wildcats would put together a late push behind strong serving and aggressive attacks from the front row. In the final stretch, SUNY Poly continued to fight, but a late Morrisville run and a couple of key kills sealed the set at 25-21 in favor of the Mustangs. 

GAME TWO: SUNY Poly vs Geneva College (Pa.) 

The opening set between SUNY Poly and Geneva was a back-and-forth battle filled with momentum swings and clutch plays. Geneva jumped out to an early advantage, using strong attacking from Hannah Kelley and Rachel Baird to grab a 6–3 lead. SUNY Poly found a spark behind Abby Newell, who buried several early kills off assists from Grace Southwick, pulling the Wildcats within striking distance. Daniella Aluisio also made her presence felt, securing a pair of big kills. Later in the set, Kassity Cruz took charge with a service ace and a powerful kill, keeping SUNY Poly close as the score tightened to 18–15. Despite a late charge from the Wildcats, Geneva closed strong behind Kelley and Daphne Alexander, securing the final points to take the set 25–22.

Early on in the second set, SUNY Poly leaned on Abby Newell, who continued her hot play with kills off sets from Grace Southwick, while Daniella Aluisio added power at the net to keep the Wildcats within reach. Newell then sparked a run with back-to-back service aces, giving the Wildcats a slim 18–16 lead. As the set moved into the 20s, Geneva responded behind Kelley, pushing the lead to 23-20. But the Wildcats showed resilience. Aluisio and Newell teamed up for back-to-back kills, while Erica Mumbulo and Newell came up with a crucial block to seal a 26-24 set victory. 

The Wildcats struck early in the third set behind Kylee DeCarr, who opened the frame with a dominant serving run that included three service aces. That early spark put SUNY Poly ahead 6–2 and forced Geneva onto its heels. From there, the Wildcats spread the offense around. Kassity Cruz and Daniella Aluisio provided timely kills on the outside, while Grace Southwick not only directed the attack but also added a service ace to extend the lead to 18–10. As Geneva made one last push, Aluisio would seal the 25-18 set victory for the Wildcats. 

SUNY Poly came out strong in the fourth set with a kill from Kassity Cruz, who set the tone early. Geneva quickly responded with a kill from Ruthie Land and a service ace by Heather Seubert, giving them a 3–2 lead. However, the Wildcats soon found their rhythm, with Abby Newell and Samantha Dee connecting for multiple kills, pushing SUNY Poly ahead. Geneva continued to struggle with errors, while Cruz capitalized with kills to widen the lead. Despite a late push from Geneva, the Wildcats would go on to secure a 25-17 set victory and a 3-1 match victory.