Rochester, NY – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball struggled against a tough Nazareth College squad as it fell 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-20), Wednesday evening in Rochester. The win improves the No. 7 Golden Flyers to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in UVC play, while the loss drops the Soaring Eagles to 12-6 overall and 4-1 in conference competition.

 

EC fell 25-19 in the first set, but got up early in the second set 12-8. After a Nazareth timeout the Golden Flyers responded with an 11-3 run to take a 19-15 lead. Nazareth held off the Soaring Eagles late, winning 25-18 for a two set lead. In the third set the Golden Flyers took an 11-5 lead. However, the Purple and Gold responded with a 7-3 run to get within 14-12, causing a Nazareth timeout. Out of the timeout the Golden Flyers scored three of the next four points to take a 17-13 advantage, looking to close out the match in straight sets. With Nazareth leading 22-17, Austin Sanderl '15 (Pittsford, NY -- Rush Henrietta) helped EC score three straight points to get within 22-20. No. 7 Nazareth proved to be too much as they recorded the final three points to prevail, 25-20.  

 

Wyatt Hamilton '15 (Jupiter, FL -- Suncoast) led the Soaring Eagles with 10 kills, while Mike Stianche '15 (Bethlehem, PA -- Bethlehem Catholic) added seven kills and five service aces. Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union) dished out 24 assists. EC struggled, hitting just .164 as a team, while Nazareth converted .484 of its attempts. Alex Houghtalen and Ellis Walsh paced the Golden Flyers with double digit kills, tallying 11 and 10, respectively.

 

The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team has a week off before it returns to action February 22nd when it travels to take on D'Youville in UVC conference action at 7:00 p.m.

 

Nazareth 3 Elmira 0