Box Score

Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Volleyball team used a strong group effort as it downed visiting Penn State Behrend, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-21), Wednesday evening in Speidel Gymnasium.

The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in United Volleyball Conference play, while the loss drops the Lions to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in conference competition.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair that saw Behrend leading by as many as four late. After a pair of time outs Elmira fought back to get within one at 20-19. The Purple and Gold used great teamwork spreading the court to come back and take the first set, 25-23. The second set was another tight frame as both teams proved to be quite evenly matched.

The Soaring Eagles kept their opponents guessing by changing attack from inside to outside throughout the set. EC used a strong service game from Evan Clarke '15 to take an early lead in the third stanza and extended that lead to 15-11. The two teams played even the remainder of the set as Elmira finished off the Lions in straight sets, 25-21.

Erik Griffin '16 paced the Soaring Eagle attack with 14 kills, while Ryan Gelenitis '14 tallied 11 kills, seven digs and three blocks. Michael Vellutato '14 dished out 33 assists, adding seven digs and six blocks. Rob Shade '15 was strong defensively recording 10 digs, while Dylan Kuhn '16 and Chris Pierantoni '15 provided stability at net registering four blocks apiece.

The Men's Volleyball team returns to action when it travels to Pittsford, NY Saturday and Sunday to take part in the Nazareth College Invitational. EC plays four matches, three of which come against ranked opponents. Saturday Elmira squares off with No. 15 Emmanuel and No. 13 MIT. Saturday the Purple and Gold will take on No. 11 Medaille.