ALBANY, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College dropped both ends of today's tri-match vs. SUNY Poly and Emmanuel.

The Gators, playing at home for the first time since February 15th, opened the day by falling 3-0 to SUNY Poly in New England Collegiate Conference action.

Senior opposite Elijah Tortorici (Clifton Park, NY/Mohonasen) topped RSC with six kills in the NECC setback.

The Wildcats (6-11/2-1 NECC), which hit .308 as a team, received eight or more kills from four players in the sweep.  Senior outside hitter Kohei Clark led the group with 12 kills on .300 hitting.

RSC wrapped up the afternoon by losing 3-0 to Emmanuel.

Middle hitter Andrew Samson (Queens, NY/Pathways), a graduate student, and senior opposite Deshawn Fleary (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair) each finished off a team-best four rallies.

Sophomore middle hitter Thor Yingling paced Emmanuel (10-9) with eight kills on .412 hitting.

Looking ahead, the Gators (4-21/0-3 NECC) host SUNY Potsdam and Springfield in a tri-match next Saturday. 

Notes: The Gators are in their second spring with Reid Hartl at the helm…He guided RSC to a spot in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship Tournament in his debut campaign…Seven players returned from the squad…The Gators were picked to finish seventh in the conference by the member coaches…Setter Ryan Jennings (North Brunswick, NJ/North Brunswick Township), a graduate student, and middle hitter Andrew Samson (Queens, NY/Pathways), both graduate students, were voted co-captains…Jennings began the season with 2,157 career assists, second-most by a Gator…Kyle Ray '13 holds the program record with 2,910 career assists…Four newcomers, two from New York, one from Colorado, and another from Texas, joined the program in 2023…RSC swept the NECC weekly awards for the period ending Sunday, March 5…Jennings was selected the Player of the Week, while freshman outside hitter Alexander Bergman (Kremmling, CO/West Grand) garnered Rookie of the Week accolades.

Save the Date: The 18th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held on Friday, June 2 at Colonie Golf and Country Club.

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