Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Alfred University on Friday evening. The Wildcats dropped the opening set 25–17 before responding with a 26–24 win in the second set. Poly took the third set 25–22, but Alfred answered with a 25–23 victory in the fourth to force a deciding fifth set. The Wildcats closed out the match with a 15–11 win to secure the comeback victory.
SET ONE: Alfred 25, SUNY Poly 17
The Wildcats opened the match with an early advantage, taking a 4–2 lead behind a service ace from Catherine McCourt and a point from Ella Eichorst. Alfred responded with a strong stretch to take control, moving ahead 8–5 before Poly cut the deficit to 8–6. Alfred continued to build momentum, using a series of kills and service aces to extend its lead to 13–6.
Poly looked to answer as Kassity Cruz and McCourt contributed points, while the Wildcats worked to close the gap. Alfred maintained its advantage throughout the middle portion of the set, however, pushing ahead 21–11. Poly continued to battle, with Cruz adding a service ace and the Wildcats finding points through their attack, but Alfred held on to take the opening set 25–17.
SET TWO: SUNY Poly 26, Alfred 24
The second set featured a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading points throughout the opening stages. Alfred took an early 1–0 lead before Poly responded with a service ace from Grace Southwick and a point from McCourt to move ahead 3–1. The teams continued to exchange points, with kills from McCourt, Olivia Linart and Daniella Aluisio helping the Wildcats remain within striking distance.Neither team was able to create much separation as the set progressed, with the score eventually reaching 15–15.
The Wildcats found an important run late in the set, with McCourt recording a service ace and helping Poly build a 22–17 advantage. Alfred responded with a late push, scoring several consecutive points to tie the set at 24–24. Poly stayed composed under pressure, taking advantage of an Alfred attack error before another point gave the Wildcats a 26–24 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
SET THREE: SUNY Poly 25, Alfred 22
Alfred opened the third set with an early lead, but Poly answered to keep the score close. After trailing 4–2, the Wildcats received a kill from McCourt before Linart and Cruz helped the team continue to generate points. Alfred extended its advantage to 12–6, but Poly began to find its rhythm and gradually worked its way back into the set.
Cruz helped spark the comeback with a kill and a service ace as the Wildcats put together a strong stretch. Additional contributions from Linart, McCourt and Aluisio helped Poly cut into the deficit before the Wildcats took control. Poly's attack and defensive pressure helped turn the set around, with the Wildcats moving ahead 18–13.
Alfred continued to battle and worked its way back into contention, but Poly answered with timely points to maintain its advantage. Eichorst contributed a kill, while a service ace from Eichorst helped the Wildcats move closer to the finish. Poly held off the late push and closed out the set 25–22 to take a 2–1 lead in the match.
SET FOUR: Alfred 25, SUNY Poly 23
The fourth set was another closely contested battle, with the teams trading points early. Alfred took a 3–1 lead before Poly responded behind a kill from Cruz and a service ace to even the score. The Wildcats then used points from Cruz, McCourt and Aluisio to move ahead, eventually building an 8–6 advantage.
Poly continued to apply pressure, with McCourt contributing a pair of service aces as the Wildcats extended their lead to 12–8. Alfred answered to stay within reach, and the teams continued to exchange points as the set moved into its later stages. A kill from Eichorst helped Poly maintain its edge, but Alfred gradually closed the gap.
With the score tied at 20–20, the set came down to the final points. Alfred managed to gain separation late, taking a 24–22 lead before Poly responded with a point to make it 24–23. The Saxons secured the final point to earn a 25–23 victory, tying the match at two sets apiece and forcing a deciding fifth set.
SET FIVE: SUNY Poly 15, Alfred 11
The deciding set opened with another competitive exchange, as Cruz recorded a kill to give Poly an early point. Alfred answered to take a 3–1 lead, but the Wildcats quickly responded. Cruz and Mylee Magnanti contributed at the net, while strong blocking from Magnanti, Linart and McCourt helped Poly turn the momentum in its favor.
The Wildcats built a 7–4 advantage before Alfred worked its way back into the set. Poly continued to find key points through its attack, with Eichorst and Linart contributing as the Wildcats extended their lead to 10–7. Alfred answered with points of its own, but Poly maintained control with timely plays from McCourt, Cruz and the front line.
After Alfred pulled closer, the Wildcats continued to respond under pressure. Eichorst added a key kill, and Poly moved ahead 13–10 before Alfred scored another point. The Wildcats remained composed in the closing moments, with Cruz delivering the final kill to secure a 15–11 victory and complete the 3–2 comeback win.
