HOUGHTON, NY. – Men's Volleyball headed to Houghton for a road match-up and made history, earning their first program win with a five-set thriller over the Highlanders on Tuesday evening.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hartwick 3 Houghton 2

• Location: Houghton, NY | Nielsen Physical Education Center

• Records: Hartwick (1-5, 0-0 DIII Independent) Houghton (0-3, 0-0 Empire 8)

BY THE NUMBERS

• Anthony Ruggiero (Schenectady, NY) dominated on offense with 17 kills, Ethan McCaw (Ilion, NY) following closely with 16.

• Nate Roorbach (East Aurora, NY) ran the set, dishing out 38 assists and 4 kills of his own.

• Libero, Colby Myers (Ilion, NY) anchored the defense with a team-high 19 digs at libero.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks traveled to Houghton, NY, meeting the Highlanders on their home court in the heart of the Nielsen Physical Education Center. Despite a challenging early stretch to begin the season as a developing program, the Blue and White showed poise from the opening serve. Ruggiero, McCaw, and Roorbach were a standout trio at the net, combining for 10 kills as the set stayed tight throughout. Going point-for-point nearly the whole way, the Hawks rushed ahead with 2 McCaw service aces, and a crucial block from middle, Carl DeDominicis (Oneonta, NY). Three consecutive errors from Houghton brought Hartwick up 25-22, ending the set with the momentum on the Hawks' side.

The second set ran in favor of the opposing Highlanders as they found openings offensively, handing the Hawks a 25-19 loss. Tied 1-1, the Hawks quickly reestablished their balance and found a way to regain control. Hartwick served the Highlanders off of the court with 4 service aces, Pedro Martins (São Paulo, Brazil) behind the line for one of them. Xander Steadham (Cobleskill, NY) added three kills in the middle as Hartwick accelerated to a 25-19 win, putting the Hawks one set away from victory.

With the fourth set underway, both sides fought extremely hard, Hartwick losing in only a two-point deficit with a final set score of 23-25. With a 2-2 game, the Hawks held their heads high going into the fifth and final set. With only 15 points to go, Hartwick seized their moment early, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Houghton recorded 5 errors in the first 6 points, leaving them behind the Hawks in a huge deficit. Martins, Ruggiero, and McCaw were essential from the pins, downing 8 kills to contribute to their 15 points, hitting a high .375 to win it all. 

A hard-fought 3-2 victory marked the program's first historical milestone- Hartwick Men's Volleyball's first win in program history. Head Coach Joshua Bigford praised his team's growth and resilience following the match.

"I am very proud of how our guys fought to earn the first win in program history tonight. Our passing was great all night allowing us to get everyone involved in the offense. We continue to get better every day and I'm excited to see this team grow throughout the season."

The victory marked a significant step forward for the Hawks as they continue to lay and build the foundation of their program.

About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.