Rochester, NY – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team lost two tough matches on Saturday. The Soaring Eagles fell 1-3 to No. 8 Stevens Institute of Technology, (20-25, 22-25, 25-20, 17-25), and 0-3 against No. 6 NYU (16-25, 17-25, 24-26). These losses push EC down to 15-11 overall and 5-4 in conference play.

 

Against Stevens, the Soaring Eagles struggled to find its offensive rhythm resulting in a first set loss 25-20. In the second set EC battled tough not giving the Ducks much room for a lead. However, at the end of the set the Ducks proved to be the stronger team prevailing 25-22. In the third set the Purple and Gold were able to turn things around winning it 25-20, but the momentum shifted in the fourth set with the Ducks finishing the match off 25-17.    

Wyatt Hamilton '15 (Jupiter, FL -- Suncoast) led the Soaring Eagles with 19 kills, while hitting a team high .467. Ryan Gelentis '14 (Brick, NJ -- Christian Brothers Academy) and Mike Stianche '15 (Bethlehem, PA -- Bethlehem Catholic) added to the offense pounding out 11 and 12 kills, respectively. Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union) added 51 assists, six digs and three total blocks.

 

Elmira's second match of the day proved to be an even tougher match-up as the Violets of NYU dominated. In the first two sets the Soaring Eagles were not able to overcome the Violets fire power losing 25-16 and 25-17. However, in the third set the Purple and Gold started to find its rhythm forcing NYU to fight hard. Eventually the Violets would finish off the match 26-24.

 

Stianche led Elmira in the second match with nine kills, six digs and two total blocks. Ladislav Lelkes '15 (Bratislava, SVK -- Esprit) also played well contributing six kills and three total blocks, while hitting .364. Ryan Nerney '14 (Niskayuna, NY -- Niskayuna) helped the Soaring Eagle attack by recording three kills and four total blocks.

 

The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team returns to action tomorrow when they play No. 12 nationally-ranked SUNY New Paltz on the second day of the UVC Crossover at 1:30 p.m.