Utica, NY -- The Elmira College women's volleyball team split matches today at the Empire 8 Tri-Match, held in Utica, NY.  Elmira fell in the opening match to St. John Fisher College, 3-0, but the Soaring Eagles responded well in the second match by defeating host Utica College in five sets.
 
EC setter Sami Hanes '16 totaled 56 assists in Elmira's win over Utica.  Her 56 assists sets a new career-high for the third-year setter and it is also the second time this season she has recorded 50 or more assists.  Also recording a career-high against Utica was Kierstin Derr '16 who logged 18 digs.
 
Match One Recap
Elmira College 0, St. John Fisher College 3 -- 25-14, 25-22, 25-18
Elmira suffered a 3-0 loss in the opening match of the day to the Cardinals of St. John Fisher College.  The Soaring Eagles struggled on offense as none of EC's players totaled double-digit kills but it was the Fisher defense that made the difference as the Cardinals totaled 21 blocks.
 
Sami Hanes '16 led Elmira with 26 assists while Kierstin Derr '16 finished with a team-high eight kills.  Defensively, Elmira had two players with double-digit digs.  Samantha Hawksley '16 finished with a team-high 15 digs while Kelsey Ross '16 chipped in with 10. 
 
Match Two Recap
Elmira College 3, Utica College 2 -- 25-19, 25-27, 26-24, 22-25, 15-12
After falling to Utica College earlier this season, Elmira looked to get a bit of revenge today and did as the Soaring Eagles edged the Pioneers in five sets.  Elmira controlled the early portions of today's match, winning the first set and nearly the second set had the Pioneers not saved four set points as Utica took the second set 27-25.
 
EC returned the favor in the third set however as they fought off a match point, an effort that sparked a 3-0 run by Elmira to close out the set in favor of the Soaring Eagles.  However, Utica responded well in the fourth set, taking it 25-22, forcing a fifth and final set.
 
In the fifth set, Elmira jumped out to a 4-0 lead but Utica again clawed their way back into the match by winning the next five points.  The Soaring Eagles would eventually go up on Utica 11-9 but again Utica fought back, winning three straight points to take a 12-11 lead.  However, Elmira proved to be the mentally stronger team as EC won the next four points to claim the fifth set, 15-12.   
 
Elmira had several players with standout numbers, including Hanes who finished with a career-high 56 assists.  Hanes' effort was apparent as four of her teammates logged double-digit kills, including Ashley Heiman '16 who led Elmira with 17 kills.  Derr was not far behind with 16 kills while Ross and Amanda Blinkinsop '16 added 11 and 10, respectively.
 
Defensively, Elmira was led by Ross and her 27 digs, the second most in her three-year career.  Hawksley added 18 digs, which is also the second-most digs in her career while Derr contributed with a career-high 18 digs. 
 
The Soaring Eagles will be back on the court this Wednesday, October 29th when Elmira travels to take on non-conference opponent SUNY Cortland at 6:00 p.m.