Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's volleyball team battled through a five-set thriller on Saturday afternoon, defeating Bard College 3–2 in an intense back-and-forth match. After dropping a tightly contested opening set, the Wildcats responded with strong play in the middle frames and held their nerve in the decisive fifth to secure the victory. With the win, SUNY Poly ends their regular season with a record of 20-11.

Set One

The opening set was a tightly contested battle from start to finish, with both teams trading momentum throughout. Early kills from Quincy Stayton and Peter Gottler, along with a service ace from Stayton, helped the Wildcats grab an early advantage. SUNY Poly also found points off the Bard attack, using blocks and pressure at the net to stay in front through much of the set.

Bard responded in the middle portion behind key swings from Ansel Waisler, Pearse Esposito, and Sidney Stein to erase the deficit and eventually take a late lead. SUNY Poly answered with a strong run sparked by back-to-back kills from Stayton and a service ace from Aaron Hennessy, pushing ahead 19–16.

The Wildcats remained in position late as Hennessy and Stayton delivered key kills to tie the set at 24–24 and again at 26–26. In the end, Bard capitalized on the final two points to edge out a dramatic 28–26 win and take the early match lead.

Set Two

SUNY Poly bounced back quickly in the second set, getting off to a strong start behind kills from Gottler and Hennessy as well as an early block from Kaiden Ranger and Gottler. Baaki and Hennessy helped the Wildcats maintain control for much of the set, while Joshua Slater continued to distribute the offense effectively.

Bard stayed within striking distance behind the steady play of Stein and Waisler, eventually using a mid-to-late surge to erase a SUNY Poly lead. The Wildcats were still in the fight at 19–19 after another Baaki finish, but Bard closed the frame on a decisive run behind timely kills and defensive stops.

Despite strong offensive stretches from Baaki, Hennessy, and Gottler, the Wildcats dropped the second set 25–21 and fell behind 2–0 in the match.

Set Three

Facing a two-set deficit, SUNY Poly came out with urgency in the third. Corey Hollingsworth made an immediate impact with a pair of early kills, while Baaki added two more to help the Wildcats race out to a 4–0 lead. Ranger and Hennessy also chipped in as SUNY Poly controlled the early tempo.

Bard briefly rallied to tie the set at 8–8 and again at 10–10, but the Wildcats responded every time. A service ace from Hennessy and a block from Slater and Baaki helped SUNY Poly regain momentum, while Baaki and Stayton delivered crucial points down the stretch.

The Wildcats stayed in control late behind kills from Hollingsworth, Ranger, and Stayton, eventually closing out the set 25–22. The win shifted momentum and brought SUNY Poly back within one set.

Set Four

SUNY Poly carried that energy into the fourth set and never let up. The Wildcats built an early cushion behind kills from Hennessy, Baaki, Hollingsworth, and Ranger, while Bard committed several errors that allowed SUNY Poly to stay in command.

Midway through the set, the Wildcats found another gear. Ranger continued to produce offensively, Hennessy added multiple kills, and Baaki helped stretch the lead with several key swings. Hollingsworth also played a major role, contributing on both the attack and at the net as SUNY Poly steadily pulled away.

A dominant late run pushed the Wildcats firmly in control, and SUNY Poly closed out the frame 25–13 to even the match at two sets apiece and force a decisive fifth.

Set Five

The deciding set opened with both teams trading points, but SUNY Poly quickly settled in behind key contributions from Ranger, Stayton, Hennessy, and Baaki. After an early 2–2 tie, the Wildcats seized control with a sustained run fueled by Bard errors, a kill from Stayton, and strong offensive execution from Baaki and Hollingsworth.

Baaki served through a pivotal stretch that helped SUNY Poly build a 12–6 lead, with Hollingsworth and Baaki both finishing crucial points during the run. Bard attempted one final push late, cutting the deficit to 14–12, but the Wildcats held firm.

On match point, Stayton delivered the finishing kill off a Slater assist to seal the 15–12 fifth-set victory and complete SUNY Poly's comeback win.