Box Score
Elmira, NY -- The No. 11 nationally ranked Elmira College men's volleyball team (19-7, 8-3 UVC) downed visiting Hilbert College (6-24, 1-10 UVC), 3-1, to close out their United Volleyball Conference (UVC) schedule. With the win, Elmira clinches the fourth seed in this year's UVC Tournament, the highest seed the Soaring Eagles have had in their four-year history.
Elmira had 10 players record kills in today's match, none of whom reached double-digits as the Soaring Eagles spread out the offensive attack.
Michael Vellutato '14 concluded tonight's action with 28 assists to go along with two digs, three block assists, and one solo block. Defensively,
Evan Clarke '15 led the charge with eight digs while
Dylan Kuhn '16 finished with six blocks, five assisted and one solo.
Three major scoring runs shaped the first set of play as Elmira took it 25-22. At 4-4, Elmira used a five-point run to take a 9-4 lead, an advantage the Soaring Eagles would eventually build to 21-14. Hilbert would not go away without a fight as they won eight of the next nine points to tie things up at 22 apiece. However, following an Elmira timeout, the Purple and Gold would win the next three points to close out the Hawks, 25-22.
A late surge by Hilbert in the second set would lead to a 25-20 score in favor of the Hawks. Elmira trailed by just one at 20-19 but three kills by Hilbert, along with an Elmira service error and an attack error, led to the Hawks winning five of the last six points, proving to be the difference as Hilbert evened the match at one set apiece.
Elmira came out of the intermission focused as the Soaring Eagles won 10 of the sets first 14 points, taking a commanding 10-4 lead to open play. EC never looked back after taking the six-point lead as the Purple and Gold cruised, winning the third set 25-14.
Similar to the third set, the fourth would be all Elmira as the Soaring Eagles won it 25-17. EC trailed in the early stages of the set, but would eventually take control of things as they comfortably claimed the set, and the fourth seed in the UVC Tournament.
The Elmira men will be back in action this weekend for their last home matches of the regular season as the Soaring Eagles host Wells College and Nazareth College at the EC Tri-Match. Play will began on Sunday, March 30th at 12:00 p.m. when EC takes on Wells before concluding the day's matches at 4:00 p.m. against Nazareth.
