Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team fell 3-1 to Nazareth University on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats dropped the opening two sets, 25-20 and 25-23, before responding with a strong third-set performance to earn a 25-22 victory. Nazareth regained control in the fourth set, however, pulling away late to secure a 25-18 win and take the match.
SET ONE
SUNY Poly battled with Nazareth throughout the opening set, keeping the score close through the early stages. After falling behind 2-0, the Wildcats got on the board following a Nazareth service error before Kassity Cruz tied the set at 2-2. Ella Eichorst and Catherine McCourt combined for a block as Poly continued to compete at the net. Daniella Aluisio and Grace Southwick helped generate offense, with Aluisio recording a kill and Cruz adding another point to bring the Wildcats within 13-8. Poly began to find its rhythm in the middle stages, as kills from Cruz, McCourt and Olivia Linart helped spark a rally. McCourt added a service ace, while Linart and Eichorst contributed at the net to help the Wildcats pull within 19-17. Aluisio added another kill, and Poly continued to trade points with the Golden Flyers. Nazareth answered with a late scoring run, however, using two service aces to extend its advantage before closing out the set 25-20.
SET TWO
The Wildcats came out with renewed energy in the second set, with Cruz recording an early kill to give Poly a 1-0 lead. Nazareth responded, but a kill from Mylee Magnanti and a service error helped the Wildcats remain within reach. Poly continued to trade points with the Golden Flyers, as Aluisio, Cruz and Magnanti contributed kills while Southwick helped distribute the offense. The Wildcats used a pair of service aces from Aluisio to tie the set at 7-7, then continued to battle through a back-and-forth stretch. Cruz and Camryn Clark added kills, while Eichorst and Aluisio teamed up for a block to help Poly take a 14-13 advantage. The teams continued exchanging points, with Poly maintaining its pressure at the net. Kills from McCourt, Cruz and Aluisio helped the Wildcats reach a 19-17 lead, while Southwick added a service ace and another kill to extend the advantage to 19-17. Nazareth responded with a run of its own to regain the lead, but Poly continued to fight. A kill from Cruz tied the score at 20-20 and kept the Wildcats within reach late. Nazareth ultimately came through with the final points, taking the set 25-23 and building a 2-0 lead in the match.
SET THREE
SUNY Poly responded in the third set, looking to extend the match and build momentum. After trading points early, the Wildcats found an offensive rhythm, with kills from Southwick, Linart and McCourt helping keep the score close. Poly began to create separation with a strong stretch of play, as kills from Cruz and Aluisio, combined with a service ace from Linart, helped the Wildcats move ahead. Aluisio continued to make an impact, recording a kill and a service ace as Poly extended its lead to 10-5. The Wildcats maintained their advantage through the middle stages, with Ella Eichorst and Aluisio contributing kills while Cruz and Southwick connected for additional points. Nazareth attempted to work its way back into the set, cutting into the deficit with a series of kills and service pressure. Poly answered with a kill from Cruz and another point from Aluisio to maintain its lead. The Golden Flyers eventually pulled even at 18-18, setting up a tight finish. The Wildcats responded, with Cruz recording a kill before Southwick delivered back-to-back service aces to give Poly a 22-20 advantage. Cruz added another kill, and Aluisio finished the set with a point to secure a 25-22 victory and put the Wildcats on the board.
SET FOUR
The Wildcats looked to carry their third-set momentum into the fourth, opening with an early 1-0 advantage. Nazareth quickly answered, and the teams traded points through the opening stages. Cruz and Linart contributed kills, while Eichorst and Clark combined for a block to help Poly take a 5-3 lead. The Wildcats continued to find success offensively, with Aluisio and McCourt recording kills as Poly extended its advantage to 9-5. McCourt added another kill, and Aluisio continued to contribute at the net as the Wildcats looked to build on their early lead. Nazareth responded with a scoring run, gradually closing the gap before eventually tying the set at 14-14. Poly continued to battle, with Cruz and Aluisio recording kills to keep the contest close. Nazareth gained momentum late, however, using a series of kills and service aces to pull away and build a 23-17 advantage. Aluisio added a late kill for the Wildcats, but the Golden Flyers closed out the set with the final two points to secure a 25-18 victory and take the match 3-1.
