Utica, NY - The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches on Saturday, falling 3–0 to SUNY Potsdam before being swept 3–0 by Western New England in the second match of the tri-match. The Wildcats battled throughout both contests, including a competitive opening set against Potsdam and a back-and-forth first set against Western New England.
GAME ONE: SUNY Poly vs. SUNY Potsdam
Potsdam took the opening set 25–22 in a back-and-forth battle. The Wildcats started quickly, building an early 4–2 advantage behind kills from Camryn Clark and Olivia Linart. Potsdam answered with a strong stretch of serving to take an 8–6 lead before Poly continued to battle. Kills from Mylee Magnanti, Catherine McCourt, Teagan Hopkins and Clark kept the Wildcats within striking distance, while Grace Southwick and Olivia Linart helped Poly remain competitive late. Southwick added a service ace and McCourt and Linart delivered kills as the Wildcats pulled within 23–22, but Potsdam scored the final two points to take the opening set.
Potsdam controlled the second set, earning a 25–10 victory. The Bears opened the frame with an 11–0 run before Linart recorded a kill to put Poly on the board. Linart added another kill shortly after, while Ella Eichorst, Kassity Cruz and Camryn Clark also contributed points as the Wildcats continued to fight. Potsdam maintained its advantage throughout the remainder of the set, however, taking a 2–0 match lead.
The Wildcats battled again in the third set before Potsdam closed out the match with a 25–19 victory. Poly jumped out to a 4–0 lead behind kills from McCourt and Linart and a service ace from McCourt. Potsdam responded to take a 6–5 lead, but Poly continued to trade points with the Bears. Magnanti, Southwick, Kara Stephens, Clark, Linart and McCourt all contributed offensively as the Wildcats stayed within reach. Poly pulled to within 19–18 late after a kill from McCourt, but Potsdam scored six of the final seven points to complete the 3–0 sweep.
GAME TWO: SUNY Poly vs. Western New England
The Wildcats opened the second match by battling Western New England throughout a competitive first set before the Golden Bears pulled away for a 25–17 victory. Western New England opened with a 4–1 lead, but Poly answered with a four-point run sparked by back-to-back service aces from Linart and kills from Magnanti and Clark to take a 5–4 advantage. The teams continued to trade points, with Poly receiving kills from Daniella Aluisio, Julia Holmes, Ella Eichorst, Cruz and Clark. Poly held a 17–16 lead late in the set after a kill from Clark, but Western New England closed the frame on a 9–0 run to take the opening set.
Western New England carried its momentum into the second set, earning a 25–12 victory. Cruz opened the scoring with a kill from Southwick, and Poly remained within striking distance early, trailing 5–4 after a kill from Clark. The Golden Bears gradually extended their lead behind strong serving and offensive production. Maggie Call, Linart, Clark and Cruz provided kills for the Wildcats, while Kara Stephens and Julia Holmes also contributed offensively. Western New England ultimately pulled away late to take a 2–0 match lead.
The Golden Bears completed the sweep with a 25–15 victory in the third set. Cruz opened the frame with a kill, and Poly stayed close early, with Stephens, Catherine McCourt and Cruz contributing kills. Western New England built an 8–3 advantage before Poly responded with points from McCourt and Stephens. The Wildcats continued to battle throughout the set, with Mylee Magnanti, McCourt, Cruz and Grace Southwick contributing offensively. Poly remained within striking distance at 14–7 before Western New England gradually extended its lead and closed out the 3–0 victory.
