Box Score  | HTML Box Score

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College women's volleyball team fell just short of a thrilling five-set victory in their home finale, as they were defeated by Cortland State 3-2. The emotional loss signaled the last home match for three Class of 2014 members.

The two and a half hour match was a nail-biting affair as all five sets were close. The Soaring Eagles took the first set 25-22, but Cortland responded to take the second set 25-21.

The two teams took a short break for the Spikes for Life festivities to take place as the women's volleyball team hosted a serving contest on the court for spectators with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. This is the fourth annual Spikes for Life game which the EC women's volleyball team uses to raise funds and also awareness for the fight against cancer.



Once play resumed, the Purple and Gold got back to their winning ways as they took yet another close set, 25-23. With a 2-1 lead, EC was looking to close out the match, but they found themselves trailing 24-19 late in the fourth set. The Soaring Eagles came rallying back to tie the game at 24 apiece, but the Red Dragons took the next two points to force the deciding fifth set.

Cortland jumped out to an 8-3 lead at the start of the fifth set, but after the two teams changed sides, the game's momentum began to shift. Elmira stormed back to tie the game at 11, but a mini-rally by the Red Dragons gave them a 14-12 lead. EC tried to spark another rally but they could not as Cortland finished off a 15-12 victory.

The Soaring Eagles were led offensively by Taryn Rumsey '14 who notched a team-high 27 kills with a .358 hitting percentage. Also chipping in with double-digit kills were Kierstin Derr '16 and Paola Ortiz '16 who recorded 13 and 11 kills respectively. Reigning Empire 8 Player of the Week, Sami Hanes '16, matched a career high for assists in a game with 51 which she set earlier this season against Houghton College.

On the defensive side, three players recorded 20-plus digs. Rumsey led the charge with 27 while fellow classmate Catherine Miller '14 tallied 20 digs on the night. Another Soaring Eagle set a career high tonight as Ortiz eclipsed her previous best by recording 21 digs tonight. EC had four blocks as a team with Rumsey and Ashley Heiman '16 each producing a solo block and a block assist against the Red Dragons.

The Purple and Gold have one weekend of competition left in the regular season. They will travel to Pittsford, NY for the final Empire 8 Crossover where they will take on Nazareth College, Utica College, and Ithaca College over the two days of play. There will likely be playoff implications on the line as EC is currently in a three-way tie for third place.