BUFFALO, N.Y. – Playing in their first five-set match today, the Hilbert College men's volleyball team fought a big battle, but fell 3-2 to North Eastern Athletic Conference foe SUNY Poly at Medaille College. 

Adam Heftka assisted on 42 kills and earned three kills, one service ace as well as leading the Hawks with 15 digs.   

Korey Schwab led Hilbert with 17 kills and added an ace, three assists and two block assists.  Brett Kane had the strongest hitting day for the Hawks (.286) and posted 13 kills and 14 digs, matching Ryan Ratajczak's effort on first-touches on defense. 

Andrew Duncan picked up six kills and two block assists while James Moscato earned Hilbert's only solo block of the day.

Hilbert finished the day trailing SUNY Poly at the net.  The Wildcats combined for a .219 attack percentage vs. Hilbert's .151 percent.  The Hawks tallied 54 kills of 159 attempts and SUNY Poly out-hit Hilbert with 62 kills in 160 attempts.The Utica, NY institution measured for 16 total team blocks cutting down on Hilbert's scoring chances.

Both teams struggled behind the service line giving their opponent 15 (Hilbert) and 16 (S UNYPoly) points due to service errors.

SUNY Poly bettered Hilbert in the opening set (25-18) but the Hawks rebounded for back-to-back wins (25-21/25-22). 

The fourth set was a nail-biter as the Wildcats outlasted Hilbert 27-25.  In the final shorten set, SUNY Poly beat Hilbert to 15 points (15-8).

Hilbert returns to the Hafner Recreation Center this week when they host Penn State Behrend February 17^th at 7pm.

***********************

News worthy mention:

Senior David Mellerski became the Hawks All Time Assist Leader on January 31.  He currently has 1,119 assists.