Cambridge, MA – The EC Men's Volleyball team went 1-1 on the second day of the MIT Tournament on Saturday in Cambridge. The Soaring Eagles completed the comeback against Emmanuel College, 3-2 (25-18, 27-29, 22-25, 25-19, 16-14), then lost a tough three setter to No. 2 Springfield College, 3-0 (17-25, 20-25, 17-25). The Purple and Gold move to 22-16 on the season.
 
In match one against Emmanuel, the Soaring Eagles controlled the tempo easily winning the first set 25-18. However, the Saints took over in the second and third sets winning both late 29-27 and 25-22. In the fourth set EC turned things around winning 25-19, and carried momentum into the fifth set edging the Saints 16-14 for the triumph.  Ryan Gelenitis '14 (Brick, NJ -- Christian Brothers Academy) led Elmira with 15 kills, four aces, four digs, two solo blocks and four assisted blocks. Also contributing to the offense were Ladislav Lelkes '15 (Bratislava, SVK -- Esprit) and Michael Vellutato '14 (Topanga, CA -- Redondo Union). Lelkes recorded 11 kills, three aces, three digs and three total blocks, while Vellutato tallied 45 assists, two aces, 11 digs and five total blocks.
 
Against Springfield, the Purple and Gold struggled offensively and could not get in a rhythm. Tyler Smith '15 (North Syracuse, NY -- Pace Bootlegger) led the Soaring Eagles with seven kills and four digs, while hitting .333. Vellutato, Ryan Nerney '14 (Niskayuna, NY -- Niskayuna) and Eric Sandmann '14 (Glenville, NY -- Burnt Hills) were the other sparks for EC. Vellutato tallied 21 assists, four digs and an assisted block, while Nearney and Sandmann combined for nine kills, six digs and two total blocks. Making the MIT All-Tournament Team was Ryan Gelenitis '14.   
 
The EC Men's Volleyball team will return to action Friday, April 14^th when it takes on No. 9 Medaille College in the first round of the UVC Championships at 5:30 p.m.