MARCY, N.Y. – The Bard College men's volleyball team's season came to a close Wednesday night in the opening round of the NEVC Playoffs, as the Raptors battled but ultimately fell to SUNY Poly, 3–1, at the Wildcat Field House. The tightly contested match featured multiple momentum swings, with both teams putting together key scoring runs throughout the four sets. SUNY Poly claimed the match with set scores of 25–17, 25–23, 23–25 and 25–23.

Sidney Stein led Bard offensively with 20 kills, while Ansel Waisler added 17 and Pearse Esposito finished with seven kills and a team-high 32 assists. Esposito, Stein and Amadeo Pinto each had double-digit digs with Esposito leading the charge with 11.

SUNY Poly set the tone early in the opening frame. With the set tied 15–15, the Wildcats strung together a decisive 7–0 run behind strong serving to build a 22–15 advantage. Bard attempted to slow the momentum with timeouts and a late kill from McMahon, but the Wildcats maintained control and closed out the set 25–17.

The second set proved to be one of the most competitive of the night. Bard and SUNY Poly traded points throughout, with the Raptors using a small surge late in the set to pull within one at 24–23 after a McMahon kill. However, the Wildcats answered on the very next rally to secure the 25–23 win and take a two-set lead in the match.

Bard responded with its strongest stretch of volleyball in the third set. After the teams battled through multiple ties early on, the Raptors created separation with a key 7–2 run sparked by kills from Waisler and Stein. Bard pushed its lead to 21–16 and held off a late SUNY Poly push to capture the set, 25–23, forcing a fourth set.

The final set mirrored much of the match's back-and-forth nature. Neither side could gain much separation as the teams traded points through the middle portion of the set. Bard tied the score at 21–21 after a block from Esposito and Grisso, but the Wildcats responded with three of the next four points to move ahead 24–22. The Raptors fought off one match point with a Stein kill, but the Wildcats sealed the match moments later to advance with the 25–23 victory.

Bard's 13-18 record is its best overall record under head coach Tyler Zowaski and its first time recording back-to-back double-digit win seasons since the 2011 and 2010 seasons.

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Players Mentioned

#16 Pearse Esposito: S/OPP; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 Sidney Stein: OH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#2 Ansel Waisler: OH; 6' 4"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#16 Pearse Esposito
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: S/OPP

#10 Sidney Stein
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: OH

#2 Ansel Waisler
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: OH

Bard College Athletics

RECAP: Men’s Volleyball falls in thriller match at SUNY Poly in the first round of NEVC Playoff

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Players Mentioned

#16 Pearse Esposito

#10 Sidney Stein

#2 Ansel Waisler

Players Mentioned

#16 Pearse Esposito

#10 Sidney Stein

#2 Ansel Waisler