PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College men's volleyball team took the court for the first time in the 2022 season and didn't disappoint as the Cardinals, who are ranked 11th in the initial American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll, swept Geneva College and Hilbert College to open the fifth-annual Cardinal Classic inside Manning and Napier Varsity Gymnasium on Bobby Wanzer Court.  With the wins, Fisher improved to 2-0, and will look for its third win of the young season at 11 a.m. on Sunday when it hosts Medaille College.

FISHER 3, GENEVA 0

After taking the first set, 25-17, the Cardinals jumped out to a quick lead in the second frame after a 5-0 run with Jake Baker at the service line that featured four kills and an ace to make it 9-5.

Holding a four-point cushion, the Cardinals went on another spurt with Josh Bigford and Evan Ingerick each hammering home a kill to spark a 5-1 run.  Leading by seven points, the Cardinals continued to fire on all cylinders and closed out the Golden Tornadoes with four kills and three more aces for a 25-16 edge.

Up by two sets, Fisher carried over its momentum into the third frame and built a commanding 12-4 advantage after rattling off five straight kills including three from Bigford.

As the set wore on, the Cardinals' firepower was too much for Geneva with Matt Beiter serving up seven unanswered points to put a strangle hold on the deciding frame.

Bigford led all players with 15 kills on 28 swings while Baker finished with seven kills and a pair of digs over two sets played.  Paul Hackford had six kills on the opposite side and four aces while Beiter accounted for four kills, five aces and two digs in the win.  Ingerick handed out 28 assists in his first collegiate start while David Cerqua was credited with 13 digs in all.

FISHER 3, HILBERT 0

With fresh faces in the match, Fisher picked up where it left off earlier in the day as the Cardinals took the first set 25-20.  The home team continued to hammer the ball in the second and blasted the Hawks 25-7 before closing out the day with a 25-20 score in the winning frame.

Ivan Lopez led the way at the net with nine kills to go along with three aces while Matt Burney made the most of his start with five kills, two digs and a block.  Zach Ciraolo finished with five kills on 10 attempts while Graham Brodsky chipped in with four kills, four digs and two aces.  Trace La Robardiere had four kills and Gavin Newman handed out 28 assists over three sets.