Score: Southern Virginia University 3, Elmira College 2 (25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 16-14)
Score: No. 12 Stevenson University 3, Elmira College 2 (25-13, 25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 15-12)
Record: Elmira (1-7), Southern Virginia (6-4), Stevenson (6-2)
Location: Owings Mills, Md. - Owings Mills Gym
 
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Elmira College men's volleyball team was swept at the Stevenson invite by Southern Virginia University and No. 12 Stevenson University on Saturday in Owings Mills, Maryland.

In the first match against the Knights of Southern Virginia, Elmira played even volleyball with Southern Virginia, but EC still faced a two-set-to-none deficit. Even after finding themselves in this early hole, the Soaring Eagles started to fight back by winning the third set 25-21.

The Soaring Eagles really showed their toughness in the fourth set, as they faced a 23-21 deficit and Southern Virginia had the serve. Elmira went on to win five of the next six points, to take the set 26-24. Sophomore Jeremy Best '19 helped guide EC to victory, as he assisted on three of the final six points.

Unfortunately for Elmira, it could not take the decisive fifth set. EC did own a slim lead in the set, 14-13, but a kill from the Knights' Mitch Usevitch sparked a 3-0 run to seal the victory for Southern Virginia.

In the second match against Stevenson, Elmira got off to a slow start, as they lost the first two sets, 25-13, 25-21. Despite being in this early hole, the Soaring Eagles continued to fight. EC went on to win the third set 25-22. Mark Kawecki '17 ended the set with one of Elmira's seven aces in the match.

The Soaring Eagles started the fourth set slowly, as they fell behind quickly, 7-1. Although down, Elmira fought back and tied the set up at 13-all. The EC run was capped off by a Kawecki kill, which was assisted by Matthew Buffum '18. The Elmira momentum continued, as the Soaring Eagles went on to win the set, 25-23. Kawecki made the decisive kill to give EC the close set.

Now tied at two-sets-apiece, Elmira needed to win the last set to complete its comeback attempt. Both programs continued to battle, as neither team would gain a two-or-more-points advantage. EC found themselves in good standing after a Dan Symer '19 kill put it up 10-8. After Symer's kill, the Mustangs went on take an 11-10 lead. The teams traded points until the score sat at 12-all. The Soaring Eagles did not score another point for the rest of the set, as the Mustangs reeled off three-straight points to take the final set, 15-12.
 
Inside the Box (Southern Virginia)

• The Soaring Eagles finished with a .209 hitting percentage with 62 kills and 29 errors.
• Southern Virginia slightly outpaced Elmira with a .213 clip with 58 kills and 28 errors.
• The Knights finished the matchup with a lead in digs, 55-50.
• Elmira finished with 62 kills, compared to Southern Virginia's 58.
• Both programs posted eight blocks.
• Ryan McDonough '18 finished the match with a team-high 21 kills.
• Symer and Buffum finished next on Elmira with 13 and 12 kills, respectively.
• Buffum also recorded six blocks.
• Best posted 51 assists on Elmira's 62 kills.
• Ryan Branigan '19 paced EC with 16 digs.
• The Knights' Paul Clark led all players with 24 kills.
• Monte Tukumoeatu posted a match-high 19 digs.

Inside the Box (Stevenson)

• Elmira finished with a .142 hitting percentage with 47 kills and 29 errors.
• Stevenson outpaced the Soaring Eagles with a .215 clip with 50 kills 25 errors.
• The Mustangs finished with a slight lead in blocks, 9-8.
• Stevenson also finished with more digs, 42-37.  
• Kawecki led the way for EC with 14 kills, closely followed by McDonough (13) and Buffum (11).
• Buffum completed the match with a .429 attack percentage with 11 kills and just two errors.
• Buffum also posted a game-high seven blocks.
• Best completed the match with 39 assists.
• The Mustangs' Landon Shorts and Jason Gardner fished the match with 14 and 13 kills, respectively.
• Kyle Johnson recorded a game-high 43 assists.
• Derek Tangorra posted a match-high 14 digs.

News and Notes

• After today's contests, Elmira's record falls to 1-7.
• Today's loss to the Mustangs drops EC's record against ranked opponents to 1-3.
• With the two losses today, the Soaring Eagles' record in five-set matches falls to 1-2.
• Elmira's 29 errors in both outings today are tied for the most that it has committed this season.
• Southern Virginia's (.213) and Stevenson's (.215) attack percentages were the second and third lowest by a Soaring Eagle's opponent.  
• EC's .142 against the Mustangs is its second-lowest clip of the year.
• McDonough's 21 kills against Southern Virginia are a new career high.
• Symer's 13 kills against the Knights are a new career high for the second-year Soaring Eagle.
• Best's 51 assists against Southern Virginia are a new career-high mark.
• Buffum's seven blocks against Stevenson are a new season high.
• Kawecki's 14 kills against the Mustangs is tied for the second-highest mark of his season.

 
Up Next
Elmira travels to Rochester, New York, to participate in the Nazareth Tournament on Friday and Saturday, February 3rd and 4th. The Soaring Eagles open the tournament on Friday against SUNY New Paltz at 4:00 p.m. and then later that night they play UC Santa Cruz at 6:00 p.m. EC wraps up the invite with a 3:00 p.m. showdown against Johnson & Wales University on Saturday.