Albany, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's volleyball team picked up a pair of hard-fought wins in a nonconference doubleheader, outlasting Arcadia in five sets before defeating Russell Sage in four. With the pair of wins, the Wildcats move to 6-6 on the season.
GAME ONE: SUNY POLY VS. ARCADIA
Set One
The opening set featured a tight battle early, with neither team able to gain significant separation. SUNY Poly leaned on balanced offense from Andrew Baaki and Quincy Stayton, while Aaron Hennessy provided a spark at the service line with an ace. Arcadia countered with steady attacking, keeping the score close deep into the set. Late errors from the Wildcats, combined with Arcadia pressure at the net, allowed Arcadia to pull away and close out the frame 25–22.
Set Two
Set two remained competitive throughout, as both sides traded runs and momentum. Baaki delivered key service aces, while Joshua Slater distributed the offense effectively to Peter Gottler, and Hennessy. Arcadia stayed within reach behind consistent attacking, forcing extended rallies late. Arcadia would capitalize on Wildcat miscues to take the set 26–24 and move ahead 2–0 in the match.
Set Three
The Wildcats responded with urgency in the third set, opening with a strong run and applying pressure from the service line. SUNY Poly continued to battle, receiving kills from Jordan Prusky and Corey Hollingsworth and would find their offensive rhythm late. Despite Arcadia pushing the set beyond regulation, the Wildcats closed out a marathon frame 27–25 to stay alive.
Set Four
Momentum carried into the fourth set for SUNY Poly, as they jumped out early and forced Arcadia into difficult offensive situations. The Wildcats rallied behind Gottler and Baaki, but Arcadia kept it close. A strong final push by the Wildcats would give them a 25-21 set victory and force the decisive fifth set.
Set Five
The decisive fifth set belonged to SUNY Poly. The Wildcats took control early behind strong blocking from Baaki and Slater and aggressive net play. Hollingsworth delivered a key service ace during a decisive run, while SUNY Poly's defense shut down Arcadia's attack. SUNY Poly closed out the match convincingly, 15–6, to earn the five-set victory.
GAME TWO: SUNY POLY VS. RUSSELL SAGE
Set One
Russell Sage controlled the opening set, using service pressure and steady offense to build separation midway through the frame. SUNY Poly stayed within reach behind kills from Peter Gottler, Andrew Baaki, and Quincy Stayton, but Sage capitalized late with a pair of service aces to close out the set. Russell Sage claimed the opener, 25–20.
Set Two
SUNY Poly responded immediately in the second set, tightening up defensively and finding a rhythm offensively. Joshua Slater distributed the ball efficiently, setting up Gottler, Baaki, and Corey Hollingsworth for consistent points. The Wildcats used a balanced attack and key blocks at the net to pull away late, evening the match with a 25–22 win.
Set Three
Momentum stayed with SUNY Poly in the third set as the Wildcats jumped out to an early lead behind strong net play and service pressure. Contributions from Gottler, Baaki, and Stayton helped SUNY Poly maintain control, while the defense limited Sage's scoring runs. Despite a late push from Russell Sage, SUNY Poly closed out the set 25–21 to take a 2–1 match lead.
Set Four
SUNY Poly carried its momentum into the fourth set, opening with aggressive serving and steady execution in transition. Baaki delivered a service ace during an early run, and Slater continued to spread the offense effectively. Russell Sage remained competitive, but SUNY Poly stayed composed in the closing points and secured the set 25–22, sealing the 3–1 victory.
