Score: No. 12 Elmira College 3 – Ramapo College [25-17, 25-18, 25-21]
Score: No. 12 Elmira College 3 – College of Mount Saint Vincent 0 [25-22, 25-22, 25-17]
Records: Elmira (2-0); Ramapo (0-2); MSV (0-6)
Location: Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, NY
 
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's volleyball team got off to a fantastic start to the 2016 season, as the Soaring Eagles earned back-to-back wins on the opening day of the EC Invitational. Elmira blanked Ramapo College (25-17, 25-18, 25-21) in the opening match of the day, before earning another straight set win over the College of Mount Saint Vincent (25-22, 25-22, 25-17) in the nightcap.
 
Although the day began with a bit adversity with several schedule and time changes due to the winter storm set to hit the East Coast this weekend, Elmira can rest easy tonight knowing they put forth a great effort to open the 2016 campaign. As a team, Elmira swung exceptionally well in both matches, hitting a cumulative .385 from the floor. Even more impressive was Elmira's defensive efforts, as the Soaring Eagles produced 16.0 total blocks which included a pair of solos.
 
The opening match against Ramapo saw the Soaring Eagles produce one of its finest offensive displays in program history, hitting .424 for the match. Elmira controlled the opening two sets, winning both with ease, but the third set would be a different story for the Soaring Eagles.
 
EC found itself in an early 7-2 hole in the third, a deficit the team would slowly chip away at through the remainder of the match. Ramapo held a lead as late as 15-14, but four straight points by Elmira put the Soaring Eagles out in front for the first time since the second set. EC's mini 4-0 run sparked its offense, as the Purple and Gold went on to take the final set, 25-21, sealing a straight set victory.
 
In the nightcap against Mount Saint Vincent, Elmira was able to infuse a handful of new players into the lineup, as several rookies got their first collegiate action. Rookie nerves seemed to show a bit in the opening set, but with each passing point, Elmira's newcomers became more and more comfortable, resulting in a 25-22 first-set score in favor of the Soaring Eagles.
 
The second set was also tightly contested, but a 5-0 run during the heart of the set put Elmira in front by six points, and would eventually lead to another 25-22 set score for Elmira. However, the third set looked much like Elmira's final set against Ramapo, as Mount Saint Vincent took an early lead.
 
Trailing 9-8, Elmira would go on an 11-3 run to take a commanding 19-12 lead. During that run, rookie Dan Symer '19 and Mark Kawecki '16 produced one kill and one ace apiece. The seven-point lead turned into a 25-17 set score, as Elmira capped the day with another sweep.
 
In His Own Words…
Coach Stephen England shares his thoughts on how his team played today…
"The most important thing for us today was taking care of Ramapo, first and foremost, because they are a good team. Against Mount Saint Vincent, we had an opportunity to start some freshman and get them some time. It was nice to see the future of this program play at such a high level. I was very impressed by Adam Dake and how he set tonight, especially his ability to connect with our middles. It took Dan a little while to settle down, but once he did, I thought he played really well. Ryan McDonough played out of his mind in both matches. The energy he brings is just priceless. So I'm just really excited and proud of the team."
 
Coach England on the play of his starters from the Ramapo match…
"Erik Griffin is a beast. He is one of the best outside hitters in the country and is going to be hard to stop this year. Carlos played a good game too. He's still figuring out the best decisions to make out there but you know he served really tough for us and made some good sets. In the third set we got down but it was nice to see that senior leadership take control of the squad and chip away at the lead and eventually taking over at the end. They did what they needed to do to get the win and that's the senior laden group that we have this year."
 
Coach England on the way his team played defense today…
"My assistant Kyle does a great job on the bench knowing the tendencies of opposing offenses. He has given the guys the tools that they need to be successful. We wanted to try to get four hands in the face of their best hitters, or triple them if we can, and make the guys around them beat us. When we do that, we can use our transition game to make a difference."
 
Turning Point (Ramapo)
The determining factor in the opening match of the day was Elmira's success on offense, as the Soaring Eagles were exceptional at putting the ball away. Elmira connected on .424 percent of its attempts, just the sixth time in program history EC has posted a hitting percentage of .400 or better.
 
Turning Point (Mount Saint Vincent)
Tonight's turning point was Elmira's defensive efforts, specifically up at net. Elmira's middles stepped up in a big way, producing 20 block assists and a pair of solo blocks. For Elmira, it marked just the third time in the last three seasons it has produced 20 or more assisted blocks.  
 
Inside the Box Score (Ramapo)

• Elmira's hitting was scintillating, posting .400-plus hitting percentages in all three sets.
• The Soaring Eagles hit .424 for the match.
• Ramapo was limited to just a .129 hitting percentage.
• Elmira never trailed in the opening set.
• Erik Griffin '16 led all players with a match-high 14 kills on a match-best .667 hitting percentage.
• Griffin had just two errors on 18 total attacks.
• McDonough seven kills on 17 total attacks.
• Mike Ellison '16 posted five kills on 13 total attacks.
• Carlos Faccio '16 led all players with a match-high 28 assists, while he paced the Soaring Eagles with two service aces.
• Dylan Kuhn '16 paced EC with three block assists.
• The ground defense for EC was a collective effort, as Ellison, Griffin and Ryan Branigan '19 each finished with five digs.

 
Inside the Box Score (Mount Saint Vincent)

• Elmira's hot hitting continued in the nightcap, as the Soaring Eagles produced a 32-10-64 stat line (.344).
• Mount Saint Vincent struggled from the floor, hitting just .153 on the night.
• Colby Upham '19 tied for the match high with seven digs.
• McDonough continued to produce at a high level, as he shared the match high with 10 kills.
• Dan Symer '19 had a great start to his college career, as the rookie outside put away nine kills.
• Adam Dake '19 orchestrated the EC attack with a match-high 29 assists.
• Defensively, Kuhn was a force up at the net with a match-high five blocks, including one solo.  

 
News and Notes

• The Elmira attacking was phenomenal in the opener against the Roadrunners, connecting at .424 percent.
• EC has hit at .400-or better just six other times in program history.
• The last time EC hit .400 or better was on March 7th against MIT, when Elmira hit a blistering .494.
• Elmira's 20 block assists marks just the third time in the past three seasons EC has gone for 20 or more.
• Griffin's 14 kill outing marked the fifth consecutive game dating back to last season in which he has posted double-digit kills.
• Griffin's .667 hitting percentage marked just the third time he has hit .600-or better in a match in which he had at least 10 attacks.
• Dake's 29 assists are the most in a debut start by a freshman in a program history.

 
Up Next
Elmira returns to action tomorrow morning, when the Purple and Gold square off with 15th-ranked Mount St. Joseph University. The opening serve is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Elmira's Speidel Gymnasium.