Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team went 2-1, opening up its 2012 season on the first day of the Elmira College Invitational on Saturday. The Soaring Eagles swept the College of New York 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-12), downed Thiel College 3-1 (21-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-19), before falling to the number five nationally-ranked Eagles of Thiel 3-0 (20-25, 20-25, 22-25).

Elmira got off to a strong start in the first match of the day as they opened up a 17-7 lead. CCNY outscored EC the remainder of the set, but Elmira closed it out 25-16. The second set was back-and-forth early but the Soaring Eagles pulled away late to win decisively 25-16. EC cruised 25-12 to close out its first match of the new season in straight sets, 3-0.

In the Purple and Gold's second match of the day they squared off with a tough Thiel squad. The Tomcats took the first set 25-21, but EC responded getting out to a 16-9 lead in the second and holding on 25-21 to even the match at one all. In the all-important third set the teams played tit for tat answering each other's runs. EC faced set point down 24-25 before Ryan Gelenitis '14 (Brick, NJ -- Christian Brothers Academy) threw down a kill and a service ace to put Elmira in front 26-25. Once again Thiel responded to tie it at 26 all. Then, EC rallied for two straight points culminating with a block by Wyatt Hamilton '15 (Jupiter, FL -- Suncoast) for the third set victory. The fourth set proved to be a tight affair but the Soaring Eagles were able to pull away by turning good defense into productive offense, winning 25-19, and claiming the match 3-1.

Mike Stianche '15 (Bethlehem, PA -- Bethlehem Catholic) led Elmira with a team-high 20 kills and a .325 hitting percentage. Ryan Nerney '14 (Niskayuna, NY -- Niskayuna) and Gelenitis combined to pound out 17 kills, while Nick Scalia '15 (Huntingdon, PA -- Huntingdon) tallied 13 digs. Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union) finished with 43 assists.

The final match of the day pitted Elmira against number five nationally-ranked Juniata. The first half of the opening set was fairly even but the Eagles separated themselves late to prevail for the 25-20 first set win. Unforced errors hurt EC in the second set as they fell behind early and ultimately fell, 20-25, leaving them trailing two sets to none. In the third set the Soaring Eagles rallied to come within one point at 22-23 before giving up two points to Juniata and dropping the match 0-3. Stianche led EC with six kills, 23 assists, nine digs and two solo blocks. Gelenitis added six kills, while he and Scalia combined for 17 digs.

The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team returns to action tomorrow when it hosts day two of the EC Invitational. The Soaring Eagles will play SUNY New Paltz at 10:00 a.m. and square off with Hilbert College at 2:00 p.m. in Speidel Gymnasium.