ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College earned a pair of non-conference home victories against Regis and Houghton on Saturday afternoon.
Freshman outside hitter Dylan Fox (Albany, NY/Colonie) registered 35 kills, 3.89 per-set, on .244 hitting, 19 digs, seven blocks, and two aces on the day.
Outside hitter Jarod Martel, a grad student, (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) contributed 29 kills, 3.22 per-set, and 14 digs, while senior opposite Wylkins Occelin (Brooklyn, NY/John Dewey) totaled 16 kills on .263 hitting and five blocks.
Freshman middle hitter Michael Bruyette (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) blocked nine Regis and Houghton attacks, while junior setter Jack McWilliam (Fishkill, NY/Arlington) distributed 9.44 assists per-set and aced four serves.
The Gators commenced the day by defeating Regis 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 20-25, 25-23). Fox tallied 15 kills on .242 hitting, eight digs, and five blocks, while Martel put down 14 kills. McWilliam dished out 39 assists, while Deshawn Fleary, a grad student, (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair), elevated 12 Regis swings as the libero.
RSC totaled 10 blocks and forced the visiting Pride (3-5) into .033 hitting or worse in three of the four sets en route to its first win of the spring.
The Gators overcame a slow start to hold off Houghton 3-2 (16-25, 25-18, 25-15, 17-25, 15-9) in the nightcap.
Fox achieved a double-double of 20 kills on .244 hitting, and 11 digs, while Martel had 15 kills. McWilliam recorded 46 assists and three aces, while Fleary topped the Gators with 12 digs.
After the Highlanders (1-10) extended the non-conference matinee to the deciding fifth frame, RSC hit .412 and raced out to an 11-3 lead to end the day on a high note.
Sophomore setter Elijah Sproull paced Houghton with a triple-double of 15 kills, 12 assists and 10 digs in defeat.
RSC (2-5) is back on the court on Wednesday night at Manhattanville. Opening serve is set for 7:00 pm.
Gator Bites: 2024 marks the Gators first as members of the New England Volleyball Conference…League coaches picked RSC, under the direction of Reid Hartl, to finish sixth in the NEVC…The roster, which has six returnees from last season, boasts plenty of local flavor with eight student-athletes hailing from Section 2…Hartl, now in his third season, added seven newcomers to the roster, including four freshmen…Four grad students are the roster, including co-captains: Fleary and Martel...Fox was selected the NEVC Rookie of the Week for the period ending January 21...He recorded 33 kills, 4.13 per-set, on .211 hitting, 11 digs, five aces, and three total blocks in a home tri-match vs. Hilbert and Wells.
