Kenosha, WI – The EC Men's Volleyball team wins two straight on the first day of the Carthage-MSOE Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Purple and Gold demolished Rust College 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-18) and fought off Thiel College 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 14-25, 17-15). With these wins improve the Soaring Eagles to 18-11 overall.

 

EC started off well against the Bearcats finishing off the first set 25-18. The Bearcats looked to comeback in the second set, but the Soaring Eagle attack stayed strong allowing EC to win the second 25-19. In the final set the Purple and Gold seized its opportunities and held off the Bearcats 25-18 for the victory.

 

Everyone on the EC bench was able to see time with Ryan Gelenitis '14 (Brick, NJ --Christian Brothers Academy) and Austin Sanderl '15 (Pittsford, NY -- Rush Henrietta) leading the way. Gelenitis and Sanderl led the attack with nine and eight kills each, as well as one assist and two aces. Also playing well was Tyler Smith '15 (North Syracuse, NY -- Pace Bootlegger) with seven kills, hitting .600, and four digs.

 

 Against the Tomcats of Thiel College, the Soaring Eagles proved to be the strong team just edging out the match in the fifth set. In the first set the game went back and forth with neither team getting much room for a lead, but EC was able to win the last two points to take the set 25-23. In the second set the Soaring Eagles fought hard to try and take a two set lead, but the Tomcats edged out EC 25-22 to even the match at one set apiece. In the third set EC was able to stop the Tomcats surge late and win the set 25-22. The fourth set was dominated by the Tomcats as they won it easily 25-14 causing a fifth set. In the fifth set the match became even closer with neither team making many mistakes, but the Soaring Eagles held off the Tomcats 17-15 to get the 3-2 win.

Mike Stianche '15 (Bethlehem, PA -- Bethlehem Catholic) led the Soaring Eagle attack recording a career-high and season-high of 31 kills as well as seven digs. Also contributing to the offense were Gelenitis and Smith who tallied 14 and 10 kills, respectively. Gelenitis also added 11 digs and two solo blocks, while Smith added three digs, one solo block and two assisted blocks. Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union) played a tremendous factor the offense as he recorded 91 assists, two aces, 18 digs and two total blocks on the day.

 

EC returns to action tomorrow on the final day of the Carthage-Milwaukee School of Engineering Tournament. Elmira begins play against Carthage College at 9:00 a.m. and finishes the tournament against the Milwaukee School of Engineering at 2:00 p.m.