Oneonta, NY – Hartwick Men's Volleyball played Russell Sage in an inaugural first home match, making their debut on Neal Miller Court since developing as a program.
THE BASICS
- Final Score: Sage 3, Hartwick 0
- Location: Oneonta NY | Lambros Arena
- Records: Sage (5-10 0-0 NEVC) Hartwick (3-10, 0-0 DIII Independent)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Men's volleyball made their inaugural appearance at Lambros Arena on Neal Miller Court, hosting the Russell Sage Gators in a hard-fought match. Prior to opening serve,
Nate Roorbach (East Aurora, NY) and
Matt Ramirez (Rome, NY) were presented the match ball by President Mullen during a pregame ceremony, commemorating the historic moment in program history.
The Hawks started the first set off strong, Roorbach guiding the offense with 4 assists and a solo block. The Hawks played neck and neck with the Gators throughout the set, Ramirez delivering a key kill to bring Hartwick to set point. The Gators were able to retaliate with a kill of their own, but lost possession to an
Anthony Ruggiero (Schenectady, NY) kill to bring the game back to evens. A three-point run from Sage ultimately sealed the set, which ended in a final score of 28-26.
The second set followed a similar pattern to the first, both teams trading points until the very end. Ruggiero contributed 5 kills to lead offensively, while
Keegan Doherty (Methuen, Ma.) gained control of the court defensively, accruing a team high of 10 digs throughout the match. Despite the Hawks' determination, a Sage ace ended the set in a final of 26-24, putting them up two sets against Hartwick.
With the momentum on the Gators' side, Hartwick was limited to 16 points in the final set. Ramirez sparked the Hawks with a six-point service run to keep the set within reach, while
Pedro Martins (São Paulo, Brazil) added a crucial kill from the middle. Despite a late push from the Blue and White, Hartwick was unable to close the gap, as the set concluded in a 25-16 loss.
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.
