Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team dropped a 3–1 decision to SUNY Oneonta on Wednesday night. The Wildcats battled throughout the match, earning a 25–20 victory in the second set after Oneonta claimed the opening frame 25–10. The Red Dragons then took the third set 25–12 before closing out the match with a 25–21 fourth-set victory.
SET ONE: SUNY Oneonta 25, SUNY Poly 10
Oneonta jumped out to an early 7–2 lead before SUNY Poly answered with a pair of points from Kassity Cruz and Catherine McCourt to cut the deficit to 7–3. The Wildcats continued to battle, with Cruz and Daniella Aluisio providing offensive contributions, while Grace Southwick and Teagan Hopkins helped set up the Poly attack. Oneonta gradually extended its advantage, taking a 16–9 lead midway through the frame. The Red Dragons then closed the set on a 9–0 run, including consecutive service aces from Lillian Slattery, to secure a 25–10 victory and take a 1–0 match lead.
SET TWO: SUNY Poly 25, SUNY Oneonta 20
The Wildcats responded strongly in the second set, opening with a 3–1 lead behind kills from Olivia Linart and Aluisio. Oneonta pulled even at 3–3, but Poly quickly regained control as Ella Eichorst recorded back-to-back kills, followed by a service ace, to help the Wildcats build a 9–4 advantage. Cruz continued to provide an offensive spark, recording multiple kills as Poly extended its lead to 13–6. Oneonta battled back to cut the deficit to 13–10, but the Wildcats answered with another strong stretch. Kills from Linart, McCourt and Mylee Magnanti helped Poly maintain its advantage, while Southwick added a service ace late in the set. The Wildcats held off a late Oneonta push and closed out the frame 25–20 to even the match at 1–1.
SET THREE: SUNY Oneonta 25, SUNY Poly 12
Oneonta came out quickly in the third set, using a strong serving run to take a 7–0 lead. Poly responded with three straight points, including a kill from McCourt and a point from Cruz, to make it 7–3. The Red Dragons continued to control the middle portion of the set, however, extending their lead to 12–5. Poly continued to battle behind kills from McCourt and Cruz, while Southwick contributed a service ace during a three-point stretch that brought the Wildcats within 17–10. Oneonta responded with another run late in the frame and pulled away to a 23–11 advantage. The Red Dragons then closed out the set 25–12 to take a 2–1 match lead.
SET FOUR: SUNY Oneonta 25, SUNY Poly 21
The fourth set featured a much more competitive start, with the teams trading points through the opening minutes. Poly held a 6–3 advantage after kills from Catherine McCourt, Linart and Kassity Cruz, while Southwick added a service ace to help the Wildcats maintain momentum. Oneonta answered with a 7–0 run to take a 10–6 lead, but Poly battled back behind kills from Cruz and Linart to remain within striking distance. The Wildcats eventually tied the set at 17–17, setting up a tight finish. Oneonta regained the lead at 19–18 before Poly answered to tie the frame at 19–19. The Red Dragons then scored four of the next five points to take a 23–20 advantage. Poly cut the deficit to 24–21, but Oneonta finished the set 25–21 to secure the 3–1 match victory.
UP NEXT
SUNY Poly returns to action on Saturday, September 19, when the Wildcats travel to face Vermont State University Johnson.
