UTICA N.Y. – The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College men's volleyball team hit the road for the first time this year as the Cardinals, who are ranked 11^th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll, took down both Lasell University and Mount St. Joseph University in the SUNY Poly Wildcat Invitational inside Wildcat Field House. With the wins, Fisher improves to 5-0, and will look to keep the winning streak alive as it will take on Wells College and SUNY Poly on Saturday.
 
FISHER 3, LASELL 0
 
Jake Baker led the Cardinal offense to a hot start as he commanded the offense to a 16-6 lead with six kills in the first set. Baker would finish the set with 8 kills as the Cardinals took the first set 25-14. 
 
At the start of the second set, it was a back-and-forth battle as the Cardinals and the Lasers were tied up 13-13. The momentum started to swing in Fisher's favor with a kill by Paul Hackford gave the Cardinals a 20-18 advantage.
 
With the late advantage, the Cardinals were able to claim the set 25-21 following a block by Evan Ingerick and Hackford.
 
With a two-set lead, the Cardinal offense kept its foot on the pedal as Baker once again led the team to a dominant offensive attack.
 
A seven kill third set by Baker led the Cardinals to 25-21 win and their fourth win of the season, keeping their flawless season afloat.
 
Overall, Baker dominated with career-high 19 kills, followed by Matt Beiter and Hackford with six. Ingerick led the way with 31 assists and David Cerqua finished with eight digs. 
 
FISHER 3, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH 1
 
Following a dominant 25-14 first set victory, the Mount St. Joseph Lions bounced back as they took an early 9-4 advantage in set two. 
 
Down five points, head coach Stephen England's squad stayed composed and battled back to make it 14-14 behind solid defense and kills by Matt Cieplicki and Baker. 
 
Despite the comeback, the Lion offense stayed consistent and eventually took the set 25-19.
 
With the sets now at 1-1, Josh Bigford put the team on his back as he notched three kills and one assists during the set to retake the lead 2-1. 
 
With the momentum all in favor of the Cardinals, they took full advantage and sparked a quick 10-0 run behind two Bigford aces and terrific defense. 
 
With a comfortable advantage, the Cardinals cruised to their fifth straight victory claiming the set 25-10. 
 
In the match, Hackford and Beiter led the way with nine kills each followed by Baker with eight. Bigford finished with three aces as Ingerick produced 26 assists and Cerqua finished with 11 digs.