ANNANDALE, N.Y.- The SUNYIT Men's Volleyball team went 2-1 this weekend at the Bard Invitational Tournament to secure a 3rd place finish.
Friday evening the Wildcats opened play with a tough loss against CCNY. The Wildcats were down 2-1 but rallied in the fourth game to even the score at 2 games each. The Wildcats fought hard but fell in the fifth game 15-12. SUNYIT was led by Sean Conte (Hilton, N.Y. / Hilton) who tallied 15 kills, and Jeff Knapp (Hamlin, N.Y. / Brockport) who had 36 assists in the match.
After a short break, the Wildcats were back at it against Keuka College. The Wildcats bounced back in a big way, defeating the Storm 3-0 with scores of 26-24, 25-12, 25-18. A.J. Davids (Hilton, N.Y. / Hilton) took the lead for the Wildcats in the match with 9 kills. Justin Rich (Hamburg, N.Y. / Eden) also played a big role for SUNYIT tallying 8 digs to lead the team.
Following the 1-1 start, the Wildcats got a chance to play in the 3rd place game Saturday morning against the hosts Bard College. The Wildcats came out swinging, tallying 43 kills in the 3 game sweep with scores of 25-20, 25-14, 25-20. It was Matthew Cardots (Rush-Henrietta, N.Y. / Sperry) turn to lead the Wildcats as he totaled 12 kills and 9 digs to lead the team. Jeff Knapp again put in a big performance as he tallied 34 assists.
With the win the Wildcats finished in third place for the tournament. The Wildcats own Alan Davids was named to the All-Tournament Team for his outstanding and consistent play throughout.
The final standings went as follows:
1st place: Wells
2nd: CCNY
3rd: SUNYIT
4th: Bard
5th: Keuka
6th: Sarah Lawrence
All-Tournament Team
Connor Hinman - Keuka
A.J. Davids - SUNYIT
Henry Kasiske - Bard
Brian Yik Lim - CCNY
Nicholas Siriban - CCNY
Liam Kaylor - Wells
Most Outstanding Player
John Farruggia - Wells
The Wildcats are back in action next weekend as they visit Wells College for a NEAC Crossover Weekend against Keuka College, and Cazenovia College.