ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Following a 1-2 showing at the Golden Dome Invitational last weekend, the Elmira College men's volleyball team will travel for a pair of invites in the states of Virginia and Maryland. Elmira opens play at the Marymount Invitational on Friday, January 27th, against Marian University at 6:00 p.m., before taking on 12th-ranked Marymount University at 8:00 p.m. The next day will pit the Purple and Gold against Southern Virginia University at 2:00 p.m., followed by a 6:00 p.m. showdown with No. 12 Stevenson University, who will be hosting both matches at its Owings Mills Gymnasium in Owings Mills, Md.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Elmira posted a 1-2 record at last weekend's Golden Dome Invitational, hosted by Rutgers-Newark, in Newark, New Jersey. The Soaring Eagles opened the invite against the host Scarlet Radiers, who were ranked 11th at the time of the invite, and scored a thrilling five-set victory for the team's first win of the season. Three players finished with double-digit kills, led by senior Mark Kawecki '17 and his match-high 15 kills. Ryan McDonough '18 and Matthew Buffum '18 chipped in with 13 kills apiece, while the latter also added four blocks. Following the win over Rutgers-Newark, Elmira suffered back-to-back setbacks to No. 15 Juniata College and Lasell College in straight sets. EC's starting setter, Jeremy Best '19, racked up 93 assists in the three matches, including a season-high 45 helpers in the win over Rutgers-Newark.
 
REDUCING THE RE'S: In Elmira's win over Rutgers-Newark, the Soaring Eagles committed just six receiving errors en route to a five-set victory. However, in the team's losses to Juniata and Lasell, the Purple and Gold racked up double-digit receiving errors, 10 and 11, respectively. Looking at the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Elmira is 19-4 when committing six receiving errors or fewer, but is winless when that total hits double figures (0-5).  
 
THE COMPETITION: The Soaring Eagles will face four teams during this weekend's trip to the Mid-Atlantic region. Below is a quick breakdown of the opponents EC will face at both invitationals.
 
Marian (0-0): Marian (Wis.) and Elmira will meet for the first-time ever this Friday night. The Sabres compete out of the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) and are in their second year of existence as a collegiate program. Marian produced an 8-15 record in its debut season a year ago, as well as a 5-8 mark in league play.
 
No. 12 Marymount (3-1): The Saints already have a win over Elmira this season, a 3-1 victory in the 2017 season opener at Speidel Gymnasium. Marymount's other wins came against Baruch and Hunter, both in four sets, while its only loss of the year was against seventh-ranked Nazareth, 3-1. The team's 3-1 start was rewarded with a No. 12 national ranking according to the AVCA, a program first for the Saints.
 
Southern Virginia (2-4): The Knights opened the 2017 campaign with a four-set win over Emmanuel (Ga.), but have dropped four out of their last five matches heading into the weekend. Similar to Marian, Southern Virginia and Elmira have never met before, as this Saturday's invite-opening match at Stevenson will serve as the first all-time meeting.
 
No. 12 Stevenson (2-2): Stevenson began the season as the country's fifth-ranked team, however, a 2-2 start with losses to seventh-ranked Nazareth and unranked Lakeland dropped the Mustangs seven spots into a two-way tie for 12th in the AVCA national poll with Marymount. Saturday's contest between Elmira and Stevenson will be the eighth all-time meeting. The Mustangs hold a 5-2 lead in the series, however, the Soaring Eagles head into the bout with the most recent win, a 3-2 victory at EC's Speidel Gymnasium. Additionally, Stevenson is 1-0 versus Elmira on its home court at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: Following this weekend's road matches, the Soaring Eagles travel to Rochester, New York, to compete in the Nazareth Tournament. The event will be Head Coach Daniel Miranda's first visit to his alma mater since taking the reins of the EC men's volleyball program. Elmira kicks things off on Friday, February 3rd, with a 4:00 p.m. showdown with second ranked, and defending national champion, SUNY New Paltz.