New Paltz, NY – The St. John Fisher College men's volleyball team was back in action on Sunday for another United Volleyball Conference matchup with The Sage Colleges on the campus of SUNY New Paltz. The Cardinals fell in a five set affair to the Gators 25-23, 25-22, 19-25, 13-25, 14-16. With the loss, the Fisher falls to 9-11 overall and 0-5 in the UVC, while Sage improves to 8-11 and 2-3 in conference play.
The Cardinals were able to hang on a take a hard-fought first set after dropping two separate four point runs throughout. After falling behind 21-18, A
Ben De La Cruz kill got the squad back on track and helped start a four point run that gave the Cardinals the 22-21 lead. Finally, on game point
Matt Broderick was able to hammer one to the floor and give Fisher the first set victory.
The second set was much of the same, however the Cardinals were able to hold a small lead for much of the set. Fisher was up 14-11 and 18-14 midway through the set. De La Cruz finished with another solid set, finishing with four kills after notching another five in the first set. A
Kevin Cahill kill gave the Cardinals a set-point until a Sage service error ended the set in Fisher's favor.
Sage jumped out quickly in the third set, scoring the first five points and a lead of 8-3. Two kills from De La Cruz and one each from
Joe Kenney and Broderick brought the Cardinals back within one at 11-10. However the Gators were able to go on another five point run and run out to an 18-11 lead. Sage was able to hang on and win the third set 25-19.
Long point runs were the story again for the Cardinals in the fourth set. Sage was able to rattle off two four point runs and a five point run in the set that helped the Gators maintain the momentum throughput in order to force a deciding fifth set.
Both squads traded points back and forth, with Sage winning the race to eight but only with a one point lead. Fisher grabbed a 13-10 lead late in the set with the help of
Tyler Richards kill. After a Sage timeout the Gators pulled back and tied the game back up at 13. A
Mike Strumpfler kill out of the middle gave cardinals a 14-13 game-point, however Sage was able to rally and score the final three points to take home the entertaining fifth set victory.
De La Cruz led the way for the Cardinals offensively, finishing with a game-high 17 kills, while Cahil and Kenney each added 12 and 11 respectively. Middle blockers Broderick and Strumpfler also added seven and six kills as well.
Quinn Magiera again finished with a game-high 50 assists along with five digs.
David Cerqua also had a game-high in the digs department with 12 from the libero position. Strumpfler and De La Cruz were the leaders blocking wise for the Cardinals both posting four blocking assists apiece.
The Cardinals are back in action on Friday and Saturday as they host the first annual Fisher Invite inside Manning and Napier Gymnasium starting on Friday at 6 p.m.
