ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College overcame an uneven start to win its home opener 3-1 vs. Dean on Wednesday night. The Gators, triumphant by scores of 22-25, 25-19, 25-18, 26-24, had five players tally at least five kills in the victory.

Freshman outside hitter John Lindheimer (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) topped RSC, which hit .242 as a team, with eight kills. The rookie added two aces, two assists, and four digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Spencer Cooper (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) and senior middle blocker Confidence Burrowes (East Orange, NJ/Donald M. Payne/Wells) killed off seven rallies apiece.  Burrows hit .636, while Cooper led the Gators with five digs.

Freshmen Evan Devine (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Giovee Roque (Seattle WA/Mercer Island) tossed in five kills each, while freshman setter Anthony Guetti (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) dished out 23 assists.

Junior Jerny Price paced Dean (0-4) with eight kills on .429 hitting.

Looking ahead, RSC (1-8) hosts King's and Manhattanville in a tri-match on Saturday afternoon.

Gator Bites with Papa John's: The spring marks the fourth with Reid Hartl at the helm of the Gators…RSC returns six players from last season's team, highlighted by sophomore opposite Dylan Fox (Albany, NY/Colonie), the 2024 New England Volleyball Conference Rookie of the Year…Hartl added nine newcomers to the roster, including Lindheimer and Burrowes…Fox, Burrows, and senior opposite Wylkins Occelin (Brooklyn, NY/John Dewey) were voted co-captains.