No. 9 Elmira College (17-7) vs. Medaille College (16-7)
Friday, March 18, 2016 | 8:00 P.M. | Kidera Gymnasium – Rochester, NY
 
No. 9 Elmira College (17-7) vs. Cal Lutheran University (4-19)
Saturday, March 19, 2016 | 3:00 P.M. | Kidera Gymnasium – Rochester, NY
 
Live Coverage
 
Elmira, NY -- The ninth-ranked Elmira College men's volleyball team is set for its second of three total trips to Rochester, NY, this season when it participates in a two-day slate of games at Nazareth College's Kidera Gymnasium this weekend. EC is set to face Medaille College for the third time this season at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18^th. The Soaring Eagles return to action at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday when it rematches against Cal Lutheran University.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira engaged in one of its most exciting contests of the season this past Wednesday night when it welcomed nationally-ranked United Volleyball Conference rival Nazareth College to Speidel Gymnasium. In a match oozing with emotion and UVC-postseason implications, the Soaring Eagles battled the Golden Flyers in front of its most raucous crowd of the season. Trailing two-sets-to-one and down 23-16 in the fourth set, Carlos Faccio '16 sparked EC's greatest rally of the season. He helped Elmira win eight straight points on serve, pulling the Purple and Gold level in the set, which they eventually won 26-24. Unfortunately, a long delay before the beginning of decisive fifth set seemed to stall the Soaring Eagles momentum, as Nazareth jumped out to an early lead in taking the set. With the loss, Elmira is now on the outside-looking-in for postseason qualification with a 2-4 in conference play.
 
Getting Back in the Win Column
With the loss to Nazareth College, Elmira has now dropped three consecutive games for the first time during the 2016 season. The recent stretch of schedule has been particularly difficult, as all three losses have come against teams currently in the Top-10 of the latest AVCA Poll. EC look to get back in the win column this weekend against a pair of teams that are not currently receiving votes in the rankings.
 
Ellison Poised for 1,000
Senior outside hitter Mike Ellison '16 posted a monster match against the Golden Flyers on Wednesday. He finished with 19 kills, which was the fourth-highest kill output of the 2016 season for the Victor, NY, product. The big effort brought his career total to 997 kills, putting him in prime position to reach the 1,000 plateau against Medaille on Friday night. He will look to become Elmira's third 1,000-kill player in program history, joining classmate Erik Griffin '16.
 
Griffin Closing In on Program Record
Senior Erik Griffin '16 has been hot as wildfire since returning to the lineup following a three-week absence earlier this season. He has recorded double-digit kills in 11 straight matches, leading the team with 264 kills overall. His 4.33 kills-per-set average leads the conference by 0.70 over the next closest player. With a big weekend in Rochester, NY, Griffin has a chance to return to Elmira as the program's all-time leader in terms of kills. The Victor, NY, native has 1,398 for his career, trailing current record-holder Ryan Gelenitis '14 (1,440) by 42.
 
All-Time Series: Medaille
Elmira leads Medialle 7-6 in the all-time series. The two programs have split the first two meetings this season. The Soaring Eagles swept the first meeting in straight sets on January 29^th, while the Mavericks took the second matchup, which coincidentally was also played at Kidera Gymnasium, by a three-sets-to-one margin.
 
Scouting Medaille
The Mavericks have enjoyed a fine season in 2016, entering the weekend with a mark of 16-7, which includes a perfect 11-0 record in North Eastern Athletic Conference play. Medaille has been on quite the roll of late, as they enter Friday winners of nine straight matches. The Schneider brothers pave the way for the Mavericks offensively. Senior Nate Schneider leads the team with 258 kills, while younger brother Brad Schneider has posted 197 kills in his rookie season. The duo combined for 30 kills in the two matches against Elmira this season. Junior Pete McKelvey leads a strong net-front defense for Medaille. He enters the weekend with 63.0 total blocks on 11 solos and 52 block assists.
 
All-Time Series: Cal Lutheran
Elmira won the first and only meeting between the programs, a five-set victory in Cal Lutheran's home gym during EC's California road-trip earlier this season.
 
Scouting Cal Lutheran
The Kingsmen have had a difficult season to-date, entering play on Friday with a 4-19 record on the season. This weekend will be Cal Lutheran's second trip to the Eastern Time Zone this year. The first road swing east was not kind to the Kingsmen, as they dropped all four matches at the Wittenberg Invitational during the final weekend of January. Senior outside hitter Hunter Horn paces the Cal Lutheran attack with 257 kills, which included 12 in the first meeting with EC. The Kingsmen middle blockers have been quite strong on defense at the net-front. Junior Michael Campbell (6 BS – 57 BA) and freshman Nicholas Oertli (7 BS – 57 BA) are nearly dead even in total blocks.
 
Looking Ahead
Elmira returns to action on Thursday, March 24^th, when it welcomes Keuka College to Speidel Gymnasium for EC's penultimate home contest of the year. The Soaring Eagles will celebrate Class of 2016 Recognition Day with a pregame ceremony honoring the six graduating members of the senior class.