Keuka Park, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team dropped a 3–1 decision to Keuka College on Friday night. The Wildcats opened the match with a thrilling 27–25 victory before Keuka answered with a 25–21 win in the second set. The Wolves then took the third set 25–19 before closing out the match with a 25–20 victory in the fourth.
SET ONE: SUNY Poly 27, Keuka 25
The Wildcats battled through a back-and-forth opening set, with neither team able to create much separation early. Keuka took an early 4–2 lead before Poly answered with points from Daniella Aluisio, Catherine McCourt and Kassity Cruz to pull ahead. The Wildcats continued to trade points with the Wolves, with Olivia Linart providing a service ace as Poly eventually took an 8–7 lead. Keuka answered to regain the advantage, but Poly stayed within striking distance behind kills from Ella Eichorst and Cruz. The teams continued to exchange points throughout the middle portion of the set, with Keuka pulling even at 14–14 and again at 15–15. Poly eventually pulled ahead 23–20 before Keuka answered to tie the set at 23-23. A service ace from Catherine McCourt gave Poly a 25–24 lead before Keuka tied the set again. The Wildcats then got a kill from Kara Stephens to take a 26–25 advantage before another Poly point gave the Wildcats the 27–25 victory and a 1–0 match lead.
SET TWO: Keuka 25, SUNY Poly 21
The second set remained tightly contested early, with the teams trading points through the opening stages. Back to back attack errors gave the Wildcats a 5–3 lead before Keuka responded to pull even at 5–5. Daniella Aluisio added a service ace as Poly moved back in front 7–5, but the Wolves answered to tie the set at 9–9. Keuka then used a strong stretch to take a 14–10 advantage. Poly refused to let the set get away, with Southwick and Cruz helping the Wildcats battle back. A kill from Cruz brought Poly within 14–13 before the Wolves extended their lead again. The Wildcats continued to fight, pulling even at 15–15. After going down 20-16, Poly powered back to once again tie it at 20-20. Keuka would go on to reach set point at 24–20 and close out the second set on the next point, taking a 25–21 victory.
SET THREE: Keuka 25, SUNY Poly 19
The Wildcats opened the third set with an early 5–4 lead following kills from Kassity Cruz and Catherine McCourt, but Keuka responded to take an 8–7 advantage. Poly continued to battle as kills from Mylee Magnanti and Olivia Linart helped the Wildcats stay within striking distance. Keuka eventually pushed its lead to 13–9 before Poly answered with to pull within 14–12. The Wolves regained momentum and extended their advantage to 17–12 before Poly once again battled back. A kill from Catherine McCourt helped the Wildcats pull within 22–16, while Ella Eichorst added a point to keep Poly within five. Keuka reached set point at 24–18 and closed out the third set with a 25-19 victory.
SET FOUR: Keuka 25, SUNY Poly 20
Keuka jumped out to an early 3–0 lead in the fourth set before the Wildcats answered with kills from Kara Stephens and Ella Eichorst. The Wolves continued to apply pressure, however, building a 14–3 advantage. Poly battled back as kills from Cruz, Eichorst and Mylee Magnanti helped spark a run, cutting the deficit to 18–10. The Wildcats continued to chip away, with Grace Southwick connecting with McCourt on a pair of kills to pull Poly within 23–18. Keuka reached match point at 24–19, and the Wolves closed out the set with a 25–20 victory and the 3–1 match win.
UP NEXT:
Wildcats return to action on Saturday, October 3, when the Wildcats travel to Elmira College. Start time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
