ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Men's Volleyball hosted a tri-match Saturday afternoon with visiting Nichols College and Ramapo.
RSC faced off with Nichols College (15-2), the #12 team in the country, in the opener, where the Bison prevailed, taking down the Gators 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-21).
The Gators were led by freshman outside hitter Dylan Fox (Albany, NY/Colonie) who contributed six kills and five digs.
Opposite Deshawn Fleary, a grad student, (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair) added seven digs while outside hitter Jarod Martel, a grad student, (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) added four.
Junior libero Jack McWilliam (Fishkill, NY/Arlington) led all players with 18 assists.
Nichols College saw three with five or more kills in the contest. Setter Carlos Mercado, a grad student, had five while junior middle blocker Dylan Knapp and freshman middle hitter Bradyn Pomainville each contributed six.
The Bison also had a game high eight digs from freshman setter Evan Sachs.
The Gators then took on Ramapo in the nightcap, with the Roadrunners coming out victorious 3-0 (25-15, 30-28, 25-21).
Fox starred again for RSC, registering 11 kills.
Four other Gators finished the contest with three or more kills. Junior middle hitter Marcus Gentile (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central), appearing in his first action after the completion of the Men's Basketball season, registered three kills while senior opposite Wylkins Occelin (Brooklyn, NY/John Dewey) and freshman middle hitter Michael Bruyette (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) had four.
Martel contributed four kills in the nightcap while McWilliam assisted on 21 points.
Freshman-heavy Ramapo College (4-3) were led by one of their three upperclassmen as senior outside hitter Reece Kirchofer registered a game-high 18 kills and added two blocks.
Freshman outside hitter Nick Lisi had 10 kills and six digs, and freshman opposite Jake Fritz added five kills.
Junior setter JoJo Meyer assisted his teammates 30 times in the victory for the Roadrunners.
Looking ahead, the Gators welcome Endicott to the Kahl Campus Center next Friday for a 7 PM start.
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: Deshawn Fleary, a grad student, (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair), an opposite, and outside hitter Jarod Martel, a grad student, (Albany, NY/Colonie Central).
Gator Golf: The 19th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held May 31, 2024. More Information: https://www.sagegators.com/
