Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly women's volleyball team dropped a 3–1 decision to SUNY Canton on Friday night. The Wildcats battled throughout the match, falling 25–20 in the opening set and 25–22 in the second before responding with a 25–23 victory in the third. Canton then edged Poly 25–23 in the fourth set to secure the match victory.
SET ONE: SUNY Canton 25, SUNY Poly 20
The Wildcats opened the match with a 2–0 lead behind a kill from Kassity Cruz and a block involving Ella Eichorst and Grace Southwick. Canton answered to take an early 5–3 advantage before the Wildcats pulled even at 6–6. The teams continued to trade points, with Poly eventually taking a 9–8 lead following a Canton service error. Eichorst then sparked a strong stretch with a service ace and another point, while Cruz added a kill to help the Wildcats build a 14–9 advantage. Poly maintained its lead through the middle portion of the set, with Cruz, Mylee Magnanti and Catherine McCourt contributing offensively. Canton eventually rallied, tying the score at 19–19 before taking control down the stretch. The Kangaroos scored six of the final seven points to claim the opening set 25–20 and take a 1–0 match lead.
SET TWO: SUNY Canton 25, SUNY Poly 22
Canton jumped out to a 5–1 lead to begin the second set before Poly answered with a kill from Cruz and a point from Camryn Clark. The Wildcats continued to battle, with kills from Cruz and Daniella Aluisio helping Poly stay within striking distance. Canton held a 12–7 advantage before the Wildcats responded with a stretch that included a kill from Catherine McCourt and a Canton service error. Poly continued to chip away at the deficit as Olivia Linart recorded a pair of service aces to help bring the Wildcats within 17–14. Canton answered to extend its lead to 20–16, but Poly remained within striking distance. Southwick added a service ace before Cruz and Kara Stephens contributed late points. The Wildcats closed the gap to 24–22 following a kill from Cruz, but Canton finished the set with a service error from Poly to take the second frame 25–22 and move ahead 2–0.
SET THREE: SUNY Poly 25, SUNY Canton 23
Poly came out strong in the third set, racing to a 6–0 lead behind two kills from Cruz, a service ace from Kara Stephens and consecutive kills from Mylee Magnanti. Canton responded with three straight points before Poly pushed its advantage back to 10–4. The Kangaroos continued to battle, eventually taking a 14–10 lead after a 10–0 run. The Wildcats answered with a strong stretch of their own as McCourt recorded a service ace and Linart added a kill to help Poly pull within 15–12. Poly continued to chip away as Southwick and Cruz combined for key points, while Linart added another service ace to help the Wildcats tie the set at 16–16. The teams traded points down the stretch before Poly took a 22–18 lead following consecutive service aces from Southwick and a kill from Cruz. Canton rallied to cut the deficit to 23–22, but Poly remained composed. Magnanti delivered a late kill to put the Wildcats at set point, and Canton committed a service error to give Poly the 25–23 victory and cut the match deficit to 2–1.
SET FOUR: SUNY Canton 25, SUNY Poly 23
Canton opened the fourth set with a 4–0 advantage before Poly responded with a kill from Cruz to get on the board. The Wildcats continued to battle, with Aluisio, McCourt and Linart contributing to a Poly comeback. McCourt helped spark a 5–0 run with a service ace and a kill, while Linart added a kill and two service aces as the Wildcats took a 15–14 lead. The teams continued to trade points, with Poly eventually pulling even at 17–17 following a kill from Cruz. Southwick then delivered a service ace before Cruz added another kill to give the Wildcats a 19–18 advantage. Poly pushed its lead to 21–19 after a kill from Aluisio and another point from Linart, but Canton responded to tie the set at 21–21. McCourt answered with a kill to put Poly back in front 22–21, but the Kangaroos scored four of the final five points to close out the set 25–23 and secure the 3–1 victory.
UP NEXT
SUNY Poly returns to action on Saturday, September 26, when the Wildcats travel to Keystone College for a tri-match. Poly will face Penn State Berks at 1 p.m. before taking on Keystone College at 3 p.m.
