MARCY, N.Y. - Hilbert College went 1-1 on the first day of the North Eastern Athletic Conference volleyball cross-over matches held at SUNY Poly this evening.
The Hawks lost to Keuka College (6-4 NEAC) in three straight and then closed the night with an exciting 3-2 victory over SUNY Poly (7-3 NEAC) to improve to 5-5 in NEAC standings.
Hilbert and SUNY Poly played their second 5-set match this season and this time the Hawks came out victorious with a fifth and final 15-13 set-score. Today, the Wildcats collected a total of 109 points while the Hawks posted 106, after totaling all five-set scores together.
Hilbert came out on top with a better hitting percentage (.362 v .274) with more blocks (11 v 7) and fewer hitting errors (11 v 26). The Hawks also collected four more points thanks to service aces (6 v 2). SUNY Poly dropped to 14-8 overall after their two matches today (loss to Medaille).
Adam Heftka was credited with three service aces, seven blocks (three solo) and 45 assists to quarterback the offense.
Michael Podgorny and
Tyler Sieczkarek each posted 17 kills. Podgorny and Sieczkarek shared only three hitting errors between them - Sieczkarek finished with .667 attack percentage (17/1/24) and Podgorny followed with .484 (17/2/31).
Brett Kane also reached double digits with 10 kills and
Korey Schwab trailed right behind with nine.
With SUNY Poly whistled for so many hitting errors, the Hawks collected only 42 team digs. Podgorny led the way with 15 digs and the brothers,
Korey Schwab and
Ryan Schwab chipped in five each.
Three Wildcat players finished with double-digit kills, led by Ryan Gloff's 21.
Hilbert won the first set 26-24 before they slipped in the second, 25-21. The Hawks collected a 25-22 victory in the third and fell 25-19 in the fourth. So it was the fifth and final set that determined the winner. Unlike the first match against Poly, Hilbert claimed the final set, 15-13.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Keuka Wolves (11-7 overall) jumped on the Hawks and limited their point production in 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 scores.
Statistically, it was a close game but the few point differences added up to set losses. Keuka gained the edge in kills (35-31) had fewer hitting errors (12-16), picked-up three points off service aces and two off blocks.
Podgorny led again at the net with 11 kills and K. Schwab added 10. Heftka assisted on 26 kills and Kane led with 10 digs.
Trevor Gabamonte chipped in seven digs in the first match.
Hilbert will remember to set their clocks ahead tonight and get to the gym in time for their 12pm match against the 3-6 NEAC (8-16) Wells College Express.
