Langhorne, PA – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team split its two contests at the Philadelphia Biblical University Trimatch on Saturday. The Soaring Eagles fell in a five set thriller to PBU (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 16-25, 16-18), before ousting Lancaster Bible College 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22). With the split No. 13 Elmira moves to 19-15 overall on the season.
 
EC got off to a solid start in its first match of the day winning the second and third sets by slim margins to take a 2-1 sets lead. However, PBU controlled the fourth set winning easily 25-16, setting up the deciding fifth set. The match went back-and-forth down the stretch, but the Crimson Eagles pulled it out late prevailing 18-16.
 
Mike Stianche '15 (Bethlehem, PA -- Bethlehem Catholic) and Ryan Gelenitis '14 (Brick, NJ -- Christian Brothers Academy) led the Soaring Eagle attack pounding out 19 and 17 kills each, while also combining for 15 digs. The offense struggled as Elmira hit just .182 as a team with 32 errors.  Eric Sandmann '14 (Glenville, NY -- Redondo U) led EC offensively dishing out 49 assists.
 
In its second match of the day EC imposed its will against a tough LBC squad winning the first two sets 25-19. In the third set the Chargers proved to be tough as they narrowly got past Elmira 25-22. The Purple and Gold changed the tide in the fourth set as it closed out LBC 25-22 to win the match.
 
Gelenitis led EC with 11 kills, while Chris Pierantoni '15 (Maspeth, NY -- St. Francis) and Tyler Smith '15 (North Syracuse, NY -- Pace Bootlegger) tallied nine kills apiece. The Soaring Eagle defense proved tough as four different players finished with double digit digs. Sandmann recorded a match-high 36 assists and 19 digs, while Gelenitis added 15 digs, Evan Clarke '15 (Rochester, NY -- Chili-Churchville) finished with 13, and Smith added 10.
 
The EC Men's Volleyball team returns to action April 6th at the MIT Tournament when it takes on Southern Vermont at 4:30 p.m.