Dallas, PA–Sage's men's volleyball team opened the new season on Friday night competing at the Misericordia University Cougar Kickoff Classic. Sage opened the season facing Randolph Macon College in their first match and then faced the host Cougars in the final match of the night. Sage dropped the opener to Randolph Macon, 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-18).  Misericordia collected a 3-0 win over Sage (25-23, 25-20, 25-18). Sage drops to 0-2, while Randolph Macon and Misericordia are now 1-1.

Sage vs. Randolph Macon

Against Randolph Macon, Sage's senior Jarod Martel (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) picked up a team-best nine kills with no receiving errors on 12 attempts. He added a dig as well for the Gators. Sophomore opposite Deshawn Fleary (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair) picked up five kills with two aces, a setting assist and added three digs with just one receiving error on 10 attempts. Junior defensive specialist Dan Mackey (Westerlo, NY/Greenville Central) added seven digs with one setting assists and a kill. The Gators also got 13 setting assists from junior setter Ryan Jennings (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick Township), who also had six digs, two aces,  and a kill in the match.  Senior middle hitter Shane Wenz (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) contributed four kills with six digs and had just two receiving errors on 18 attempts. Senior middle hitter Scott Sanders (Los Angeles, CA/Taft) picked up four kills for the Gators.

Sage vs. Misericordia

In the nightcap, Wenz led the team with his nine kills with 4 digs and 10.5 points. Sanders posted seven kills with a .545 attack percentage while adding a solo block and a dig and an ace. Martel also had seven kills with three digs and 8.5 points for the Gators, while Sanders added nine points. Fleary contributed six digs with an ace, a kill and a setting assist. Jennings racked up 16 setting assists with two kills and three digs.

Sage will be back in action on Saturday in the final day of the two-day event as they face St. Joseph's College (LI) at 11 a.m. and Lasell College at 1 p.m.

Sage will host a pair of home matches this coming week as a former Sage men's volleyball player, Casey Fitzpatrick '18 will visit Kahl Gym on January 23 as the rookie head coach of Adrian College in the Gators' 2020 home opener at 7 p.m. The next night, Sage hosts Medaille College in a 7 p.m. contest in Kahl Gym.