Score: Elmira College 3 – Morrisville State 1 [25-13, 23-25, 25-17, 25-16]
Score: Elmira College 3 – Wells College 1 [25-16, 26-24, 16-25, 25-14]
Record: Elmira (3-0); Morrisville State (1-6); Wells (2-5)
Location: Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- The 2015 season is shaping up to be a good one for the Elmira College women's volleyball team, as the Soaring Eagles picked up a pair of wins tonight to improve to 3-0 on the early season.  Elmira opened play tonight with a 3-1 win against Morrisville State and followed it up with a 3-1 victory over Wells College in the nightcap.
 
Rookie talent Natalie Schieder '19 paced the Soaring Eagles with 30 kills, 15 in each match, as well as 32 digs, including a 20-dig effort against Morrisville.  Adding to EC's threats was fourth-year standout Ashley Heiman '16, who logged 29 kills on an ultra-impressive .414 hitting percentage. 
 
Orchestrating the Elmira offense was Taylor Kaznowski '19 and Sami Hanes '16, who combined for 89 assists on the day.  Kaznowski finished with 54 assists between the two matches, including a 31-assist effort against Morrisville.  Hanes on the other hand logged 35 assists, with 20 of those occurring against the Mustangs of Morrisville.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Rhonda Faunce on her team's performance…
"I thought we played really well. We stayed in the system for the most which allowed us to have hitting options, good hitting options. We served strong and passed great. All around, it was a good team effort."
 
Coach Faunce on Natalie Schieder's performance…
"For a freshman, Natalie has the poise of a veteran. She is smart. She is the real deal."
 
Coach Faunce on playing at Speidel in front of their home fans…
 "Every game should be that loud. We need our fans to be at our home games all year."
 
Turning Point (Morrisville)
After splitting the first two sets, the third set seemed to be the one that would dictate who would be walking away with a victory.  Morrisville held an early 5-4 lead in the set but the Soaring Eagles would win 13 of the next 17 points to take a control of the set at 17-8. During that stretch, Kierstin Derr '16 registered three kills while Kelsey Ross '16 logged a pair of service aces.
 
Turning Point (Wells)
After taking the first set, Elmira found themselves in a dog-fight for the second.  The Soaring Eagles clung to a 23-21 lead, but the Express claimed the next three points to make the score 24-23, giving Wells a set point to even the match.  However, back-to-back kills by Heiman put Elmira ahead 25-24, which would ultimately lead to an attack error by Wells' Olyvia Brazier, giving the Purple and Gold the second set.  With a 2-sets-to-0 lead, Elmira would go on to take the match, 3-1.
 
Individual Leaders
Elmira College: Natalie Schieder led Elmira with 30 kills as well as a team-leading 32 digs.  Taylor Kaznowski led EC with 54 assists while Ashley Heiman owned the team-lead in blocks with three.
Morrisville State: Emilee Niejadlik produced a team-high eight kills while Kim Dunkleman led the Mustangs with 16 assists and 12 digs.
Wells College:  Vashti Nettles was the team-leader in kills with 16.  Eliza Schwab produced 29 assists while Nadine Pershyn led the Express with 14 digs.
 
Inside the Box Score (Morrisville)
Elmira had four players with double-digit kills (Schieder, Ross, Heiman, Ortiz).

• As a team, Elmira posted a season-high .314 hitting percentage.
• Collectively, Elmira logged  early season-highs of 62 kills, 59 assists, and 60 digs.
• Schieder produced a double-double with 15 kills and 20 digs, both of which were match-highs.
• Kelsey Ross '16 also registered a double-double with a 14-kill effort to go along with a 15-dig night.
• Scheider, Ross, and Amanda Blinkinsop '16 combined for 40 of the team's 60 digs.   
• Elmira held the Mustangs to a .111 hitting percentage.

 
Inside the Box Score (Wells)

• As a team, Elmira posted a .201 hitting percentage.
• Wells produced a .183 hitting percentage, the highest allowed by Elmira this season.
• Heiman led all hitters with a match-high 17 kills.
• Schieder led all players with a staggering six service aces.
• Schieder also recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 12 digs.
• Kaznowski held the team-lead in assists with 23 and shared the team-lead in digs with Blinkinsop with 13.
• EC's ability to hit heavy serves a definite factor, as Elmira produced 12 aces to Wells' four.

 
Up Next
Elmira will be back in action tomorrow, September 12th, as the Soaring Eagles conclude play at the EC Quad Match.  The Purple and Gold open play tomorrow with an 11:00 a.m. meeting with Keuka College and conclude tournament play with a 1:00 p.m. matchup with Mount Aloysius College.