Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's volleyball team battled through a five-set thriller on Saturday afternoon, rallying multiple times to defeat the Russell Sage Gators, 3–2. With the win, the Wildcats move to 14-9 (2-1) on the season. 

Set One

The opening set was tightly contested early, with both teams trading points and neither side able to establish momentum. Kills from Peter Gottler, Andrew Baaki, and Quincy Stayton helped SUNY Poly stay even through the middle portion of the frame as Joshua Slater distributed the offense efficiently. Russell Sage countered with consistent production from John Lindheimer and Sean Pingelski, while strong serving runs helped the Gators build a narrow late advantage. SUNY Poly briefly rallied behind several Sage attack errors to tie the score at 19–19 and later pulled even again at 22–22 after a Baaki kill. However, the Gators closed the set with key points from Lindheimer and a late block to claim the opener, 25–23.

Set Two

SUNY Poly responded in the second set with improved offensive rhythm. Early kills from Stayton and Baaki helped the Wildcats build momentum, while the block from Aaron Hennessy and Jordan Prusky slowed Russell Sage's attack. A service ace by Stayton extended SUNY Poly's lead midway through the set, though the Gators battled back to tie the score at 20–20 after a string of attack errors. The Wildcats remained composed down the stretch, as Baaki delivered a key kill and Stayton added another late point to put SUNY Poly on the brink. Slater sealed the set with a kill of his own, giving the Wildcats a 25–23 win and evening the match at one set apiece.

Set Three

Russell Sage surged early in the third set, jumping out to a quick lead behind strong play from Lindheimer and Dylan Fox. Despite kills from Gottler and Stayton that kept the Wildcats within reach, the Gators continued to apply pressure with aggressive serving and efficient offense. A run of points midway through the set pushed Sage's advantage into double digits, forcing SUNY Poly to play from behind for most of the frame. The Wildcats attempted a late push with kills from Gottler and Prusky, but Russell Sage maintained control and closed the set 25–23 to regain the match lead.

Set Four

Facing elimination, SUNY Poly delivered its strongest performance of the match in the fourth set. The Wildcats opened on a dominant run behind Baaki's serving, including a service ace that helped establish a quick 3–0 lead. Gottler and Stayton paced the offense while the Wildcat block disrupted the Gators' attack, allowing SUNY Poly to steadily build separation. Later in the set, Gottler sparked a decisive scoring streak from the service line that included multiple aces and several Wildcat kills, stretching the lead to double digits. SUNY Poly remained firmly in control throughout and finished the set 25–12 to force a decisive fifth set.

Set Five

The final set began evenly before SUNY Poly gradually gained control. Stayton, Gottler, and Baaki combined for several key kills as the Wildcats built a small advantage midway through the race to 15. Russell Sage briefly cut into the deficit with points from Fox and Lindheimer, but SUNY Poly answered with steady offense from Prusky and Stayton to maintain the lead. With the score nearing match point, Baaki delivered a clutch kill off a set from Slater to close out the fifth set, 15–10, securing the 3–2 victory for the Wildcats.