Score: Elmira College 3, Bard College 0 [25-19, 25-15, 25-18]
Score: Hartwick College 3, Elmira College 1 [22-25, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 15-10]
Records: Elmira (20-13), Bard (5-26), Hartwick (13-15)
Location: Oneonta, N.Y. -- Dewar Arena
 
ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's volleyball team concluded the 2017 season by splitting its pair of matches on day two of the Dig Pink Invitational, hosted by SUNY Oneonta, at the Dewar Arena in Oneonta, New York. EC won the first match of the day in straight sets against Bard College, before falling in a thrilling five-set bout to Hartwick to end the campaign.

Despite earning the 3-0 victory over Bard in the opening match, the Soaring Eagles had to battle to beat the Raptors. This struggle was shown with both team's hitting at an identical .183 clip. Elmira was able to pull ahead by taking slim leads in digs (77-to-58), assists (27-to-23) and aces (8-to-6).

Leading the way for EC was the junior duo of Natalie Schieder '19 and Taylor Kaznowski '19. Schieder was the Soaring Eagles' most effective attacker, as she finished with a match-high 13 kills to go along with 15 digs. Kaznowski posted a match-high 23 assists in addition to nine digs. Fellow junior Kasey Campbell '19 was also fantastic on the day, as she tallied a match-high 17 digs in the bout. With a season-high 11 digs, freshman Lauren Smith '21 also played well against Bard.

The second contest of the day was a tougher test for the Soaring Eagles, as they had to top a Hartwick team that already owns a straight-set victory over EC this season. Elmira was up for the challenge, however, taking a 2-1 lead after the first three sets. Unfortunately for the Soaring Eagles, the Hawks were able to record 25-23 and 15-10 wins in the fourth and fifth sets, respectively, to pull off the comeback. 

Hartwick's comeback was fueled by its slim hitting percentage advantages in the final two sets. In those sets, the Hawks hit at .024 and .158 clips, while the Soaring Eagles posted -.017 and -.091 attack percentages. In total, Hartwick outhit Elmira, .128-to- .069. The Hawks also held leads in digs (118-to-113), assists (44-to-37) and blocks (9-to-3). EC, on the other hand, owned a 9-to-4 lead in service aces.

Schieder again led the Soaring Eagles with a massive double-double (25d, 21k). Tiara John '19 also tallied a double-double with a career-high 28 digs to go along with 10 kills. Just like her two classmates, Kaznowski recorded a double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs. Campbell also recorded an exceptional performance, as she posted 25 digs in the bout.
 
News and Notes

• With a 1-1 mark on the day, Elmira concludes the season with a 20-13 overall record.
• At the end of the season, EC's neutral-site record stands at 9-3.
• With the loss against Hartwick, the Soaring Eagles end the season with a 4-4 record in five-set matches.
• The 113 digs against the Hawks is the second most that Elmira has posted this year.
• Schieder's 502 kills in 2017 are tied with Leah Malliris '01 for the ninth-highest single-season total by an EC player in program history.
• Schieder tallied new single-season career highs in kills (502) and digs (444).
• With a pair of double-doubles today, Schieder finished the season with a team-high 20 this year.
• Schieder was also named to the Dig Pink Invitational All-Tournament Team for her impressive play all weekend.
• Kaznowski's 1,360 assists this season is the 10th highest single-season total by a Soaring Eagle.
• Kaznowski recorded new single-season career highs in assists (1,360) and digs (304).
• Kaznowski's double-double against the Hawks is her 16th of the year.
• With a combined 42 digs today, Campbell finished second on the team in that category with a career-high 402 digs.
• Rachel Katzenberger '19 also posted a new single-season career high with 292 digs in 2017.
• John's 28 digs against Hartwick is a career high for the junior.
• Smith tallied a season-best 11 digs in the opening bout against Bard.
• Savannah Terry '21 11 digs against the Hawks is a season high for the freshman.