GAME #1 FINAL: EASTERN NAZARENE 3, MOUNT IDA 0
GAME #2 FINAL: SAGE 3, EASTERN NAZARENE 0
GAME #3 FINAL: SAGE 3, MOUNT IDA 0
Newton, MA- Sage’s senior outside hitter Bailey Cecchi (Agawam, MA/Agawam) registered 19 kills, 15 digs and three service aces to lead Sage to a pair of 3-0 victories over Eastern Nazarene and host Mount Ida in a non-league college men’s volleyball tri-match Saturday afternoon at the Athletic Center. The first outing of the day saw the host Mustangs drop a 3-0 decision to Eastern Nazarene in the season-opener for both squads. Sage is now 2-3 on the year.
Sage’s senior outside Ryan Guyton (Lockport, NY/Lockport)recorded eight kills, eight digs and four service aces in Sage’s (2-3) 25-19, 25-14, 25-20 victory over Mount Ida (0-2), as Cecchi collected seven kills, six digs and a pair of service aces in that contest. Sophomores Jarod Martel (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) and Shane Wenz (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) added five kills each for the Gators, who received four kills and a pair of service aces from junior Zackery Karl (West Monroe, NY/Central Square). Junior Austin Laverty (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) and freshman Ryan Jennings (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick)combined for 29 set assists and five digs in the second triumph for Sage, which received five digs from seniorCasey Fitzpatrick (Haverhill, MA/Haverhill).
Junior Brett Southworth (Orange, Conn.) notched eight kills and three digs in the nightcap setback for the Mustangs, who received five kills and three service aces from fellow junior Tyler Shinkle (West Deptford, N.J.). Freshman Isaac Reed (Keene, N.H.) chipped in with four kills and six digs for Mount Ida, which received 18 set assists from freshman Andrew Olague (San Ramon, Calif.) along with four digs from junior Ethan Souza (Acushnet, Mass.).
Cecchi notched 12 kills and nine digs in Sage’s 25-10, 25-16, 25-15 middle match triumph over Eastern Nazarene (1-1), while Guyton added seven kills and 10 digs for the Gators. Martel and fellow sophomore Scott Sanders (Los Angeles, CA/Taft) recorded seven kills each as well for the winners, who received 18 set assists and four digs from Laverty. Jennings chipped in with 14 set assists in the opening victory for Sage, which received 16 digs from Fitzpatrick.
After Saturday’s play, Cecchi has 911 career kills, which ranks second all-time at Sage, while Guyton is right behind him in third place with 890 kills. Guyton is No. 2 in career points with 1,135.5, while Cecchi has 1,069.5 points and ranks fourth at Sage. Fitzpatrick is making his run at the career dig mark as he moved into the No. 2 spot on Saturday with 667, just behind the mark currently held by Kyle Ray (693, 2010-2013).
Sage heads to Chicopee, Mass. on Wednesday evening to square off with Elms in a non-league match that also begins at 7:00 p.m.
