Score: #2 Stevens Institute of Technology 3 – Elmira College 0
Score: #8 Vassar College 3 – Elmira College 0
Records: Elmira (4-12, 0-2 UVC), Stevens (11-2, 1-2 UVC), Vassar (12-5, 2-0 UVC)
Location: Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Elmira College men's volleyball welcomed a pair of nationally-ranked teams to Speidel Gymnasium to open its United Volleyball Conference (UVC) schedule. The Soaring Eagles dropped both contests today, falling to second-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology and eighth-ranked Vassar College in straight sets.
 
The second-ranked Ducks of Stevens controlled the opening set with an ultra-high .565 attack percentage, which helped them claim a 25-13 first-set victory. Stevens' hitting cooled off a bit in the second (.350), but the visitors were still able to take a 17-10 lead, which eventually turned into a 22-15 advantage. Elmira would make things interesting down the stretch by winning six of the next eight points to pull within three, 24-21, but a kill from Gabe Shankweiler sealed the second set for Stevens.
 
In the third set, Elmira stayed even with the Ducks for most of the set, before pulling away late to take a 20-15 lead. Stevens went on to win the next three points, and six of the next eight, to cut the Soaring Eagle lead to just one point at 22-21. Kills by Elmira's Dan Symer '19 and Matthew Buffum '18, along with a put-away from Stevens' Jacob Stillman, gave the Purple and Gold a set point at 24-22.
 
With the set on the line, the Ducks buckled down and won two straight to level the set at 24-24. The following point resulted in a service error by Stevens' Thomas Burrell, giving the Soaring Eagles yet another set point. However, an EC attack error paired with a Stevens triple block gave the Ducks their first set point of the third frame at 26-25.
 
EC's Ryan McDonough '18 answered for the Soaring Eagles with one of his 11 third-set kills to even the set at 26-26. Unfortunately for Elmira, this would be as close as it would get, as the Ducks closed out the set with a Dylan DeBoer kill and a double-block by Alexander Carpenter and Grant Bruden to seal the match in three sets.
 
In today's nightcap against eighth-ranked Vassar, Elmira played the Brewers fairly even throughout the first two sets, although, the visiting team would march away victorious in both frames by scores of 25-19 and 25-18. Vassar made a key 6-0 run late in the first set to pull away, 21-15, setting the Brewers up to take the opening set. Then in the second set, Vassar built its lead to as many as eight points en route to the win.
 
The Brewers opened the third set with another strong performance, winning nine of the first 14 points to take a 9-5 lead. From there, Elmira went on a 4-0 run to tie it up at 9-9, which was indicative of how today's final frame would play out.
 
Both teams traded points and mini runs throughout the set with Elmira holding a slight 21-20 lead. Unfortunately for the Soaring Eagles, Vassar closed out the match by winning five of the final seven points to secure its second victory of the day.
 
Inside the Box Score (Stevens)

• Stevens produced an attack percentage of .437 on a 39k-8e-71ta stat line.
• Elmira logged a .222 attack percentage on a 39k-19e-90ta stat line.
• Digs were in favor of Stevens, 25-20.
• Blocks were also heavily in favor of the Ducks, 12.5-1.0.
• Stevens led in service aces, 6-2.
• McDonough recorded a match-high 17 kills on a .400 attack percentage.
• Buffum and Symer logged seven and six kills, respectively.
• Branigan logged a match-high seven digs.
• Best finished with a match-high 32 assists. 

 
Inside the Box Score (Vassar)

• Vassar was more efficient from the floor with a .250 attack percentage (36k-16e-80ta).
• Elmira posted a .107 attack percentage on a 25k-17e-75ta stat line.
• The Brewers held a 28-to-23 edge in digs.
• The Soaring Eagles logged seven blocks, while Vassar finished with six.
• Service aces were in favor of the Brewers, 6-3.
• McDonough finished with a match-high 11 kills.
• Best recorded 23 assists, three digs, one solo block and an assisted block.
• Branigan finished with the team lead in digs with seven.
• Coleman led Elmira at the net with three blocks.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira's conference record dropped to 0-2 after today's matches.
• The Soaring Eagles are 1-7 against nationally-ranked opponents this season.
• Elmira has made 20-plus digs in three consecutive matches.
• McDonough produced match-high kills in both contests with 17 and 11.
• McDonough was the only Soaring Eagles with double-digit kills on the day.
• McDonough logged his ninth double-digit kill performance of the year.
• Best recorded his eighth 30-plus assist outing of the season.
• Coleman's three blocks were a career high for the freshman.

 
Up Next
Elmira is back in action next Wednesday, February 22nd, when the Soaring Eagles travel to the Garden State for a mid-week non-conference match against Ramapo College. Wednesday's contest is set for 7:00 p.m.