Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team hosted the number 8 AVCA ranked Mavericks of Medaille College in a UVC showdown. The Soaring Eagles were looking to avenge a 3-0 loss they suffered to Medaille just four days prior.
The Mavericks would show why they are ranked so high in the country as they jumped out to a 9-3 lead on the Soaring Eagles. EC would respond with three straight points, brining EC to within three. After a pair of service errors by both teams, Medaille would win 5-of-6 points to give them a 15-8 lead. Zach Pugh '11 (West Winfield, NY -- Mount Markham) would end the run as he would make a kill, brining the score to 15-9. After an error on the Elmira side, Medaille would again win 5-of-6 points to take a commanding 11 point lead. The Mavericks would go on to take the first set 25-14.
Elmira would open the second set by taking a slim 4-3 lead until Medaille registered a kill to even the score. The set would remain close with Medaille taking a lead no higher than 4 points. Down 21-17, Elmira would run off two straight points, brining them to within two of the Mavericks. Medaille would register two straight kills to stretch their lead to four before taking the set 25-20.
In the third set EC would take an 11-7 lead as Eric Sandmann '14 (Glenville, NY -- Burnt Hills) would register a score followed up by a Medaille error. The Mavericks would settle in to take four straight points, evening the score at 11-all. The Soaring Eagles would take the lead back at 13-12 but this would be the last time they would be atop as Medaille would go 6-0 run to take a convincing 18-13 lead. Elmira would come back strong as they cut the Medaille lead to 2 points before the Mavericks forced an EC timeout by taking a 20-16 lead. The set would end as Medaille would claim 5 of the final 9 points of the match for a set score of 25-20.
Rookie talent Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union) set up the Elmira attack as he recorded 25 assists to go along with 3 digs and a solo block. Classmate Ryan Gelenitis '14 (Brick, NJ -- Christian Brothers Academy) totaled 13 kills, 1 service ace, and 3 digs while Sandmann totaled 10 kills and 7 digs.
With the loss Elmira falls to 5-10 on the season and 2-5 in the UVC conference. The Soaring Eagles will look to bounce back from today's setback as they travel to participate in the Baruch Invitational. EC opens tournament play on Saturday, February 26th at 2:00 p.m. as they take on Carthage College.
Elmira College 0 Medaille College 3
25-14, 25-20, 25-20
Box Score
