Preseason Video Interviews

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's volleyball team is set to kick-off the 2018 campaign – the program's eighth season of varsity competition – with three matches in the tri-state area this weekend, beginning with a single match on Friday, January 19, at Baruch College.

This year's convocation of Soaring Eagles are confident that they'll be able to put the 2017 season well behind them. Last season, the Soaring Eagles finished with a sub.-500 record and failed to receive votes in the final edition of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches Poll for the first time since the team's inaugural season in 2011.

All but one student-athlete, the now-graduated Mark Kawecki '17 – have returned to the roster and, alongside a few key additions, the Purple and Gold are looking to return to prominence this year. This core includes six members from the Class of 2019 and five from the Class of 2020, meaning the Soaring Eagles will have a solid foundation to build upon not only for 2018, but for years to come.

"Last year we had a very young team that was getting used to what the level of college play is," said second-year head coach Daniel Miranda. "Last year we really played around with lineups. This year we are way more balanced on both sides. Being balanced this season should help us better execute throughout the year."

EC will once again compete in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC), the premier men's volleyball league in NCAA Division III. Four of the top-five teams in the AVCA's 2018 Preseason Coaches Poll are UVC affiliates, an illustration of just how big of a challenge it will be to navigate the conference schedule. The Soaring Eagles will have ample time to prepare for their UVC opener with a little over three weeks until they host Bard inside Speidel Gymnasium on Sunday, February 11.

"To prepare for conference play, we have to hold the highest standard in practice," stated coach Miranda. "Having four teams from the conference make last year's national tournament speaks for itself. Expecting that level of play and handling expectations in practice is going to go a long way. It is a crucial goal for our entire team to make it into the UVC Tournament and everyone on the team has their eyes set on it."

Setter
Elmira will rely on Jeremy Best '19 to orchestrate the offense, as the third-year setter resumes his role as EC's starter after earning the job as a sophomore. In 31 matches, he finished fifth in the UVC with 998 assists, just two shy of becoming the third player in program history to amass 1,000 assists in a single season. The 6-foot-2-inch Wexford, Pennsylvania, native also showed tremendous value on defense, as he was third on the team in total blocks (53) and fourth in digs (133).

Libero-Defensive Specialist
Junior Ryan Branigan '19 appeared in all 32 matches a year ago and his 243 digs paced the team. The Massapequa, New York, native logged a career-high 21 digs in a five-set victory over Arcadia in late February, one of his seven matches with double-digit digs. He may also see time as the backup setter, this after flashing some potential with 40 assists in an emergency role against Penn State-Behrend in March.

Pushing Branigan in the battle for the starting role are Colin Morrison '19 and Henry Cleveland '20. Morrison, a starting back on the Elmira men's soccer team, has been lauded for his work ethic and the intensity he brings to practice. Cleveland recorded 43 digs, 24 kills and 13 aces in limited time as an outside hitter during his freshman season, but is vying for an expanded role as a sophomore and may be asked to switch his primary position to libero.

Also providing depth as both a defensive and serving specialist is Joe Hewes '19. Hewes tossed up five aces and posted a career-high 26 digs in 22 matches during his sophomore campaign.

Middle Blocker
The lone senior on this year's squad, Matthew Buffum '18, proved to be a force to be reckoned with in a breakout junior season in 2017. The 6-foot-7-inch middle amassed career highs in every statistical category, including 285 kills and an EC single-season record .397 attack percentage. Buffum also floored a team-leading 97 total blocks and ranked among the conference leaders with 0.84 blocks per set. For his efforts on the court, he was rewarded by the league office with UVC All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades. Expect much of the same from the senior captain in his final go-round donning the Purple and Gold.

According to the coaching staff, Buffum has taken Landon Miller '20 under his wing and the duo will help set the tone for blocking and offense at the net. Miller, a former standout and Mid Penn Conference All-Star at Chambersburg Area High School in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has been highly-touted for his leadership skills despite being a first-year player. For a unit that ranked second-to-last in the UVC in both hitting percentage and blocks in 2017, the 6-foot-4-inch middle may be the catalyst needed to help spark a turnaround season.

Now a year wiser, Matt Straney '20 will be expected to provide valuable depth as a middle blocker in 2018. He finished second on the team in total blocks, trailing only Buffum with 55 last year, in addition to 90 kills. Added to the mix this season will be freshman Joseph Amoddio '21. Amoddio doubles as a member of the EC men's basketball team, where he has been able to utilize his 6-foot-6-inch frame and long wingspan.

Outside Hitter
Junior outside hitter Ryan McDonough '19 was asked to do a little bit of everything in 2017, and he did not disappoint. McDonough led the Soaring Eagles in kills (334) and service aces (48) and was second in digs (177), in addition to compiling 30 total blocks. He was tied for fourth in the ultra-competitive UVC in aces per set (0.42) and ranked eighth among qualified hitters with 2.96 kills per set. The Lindenhurst, New York, native will once again be relied upon heavily to produce in all facets of the game.

Fellow junior Dan Symer '19 has continued to grow in his third collegiate season. With the aforementioned graduation of Kawecki, Symer will likely be asked to carry a larger portion of the offensive responsibilities in 2018. The 6-foot-3-inch product of Burnt Hills, New York, was fourth on the team last year with 177 kills and tossed up 31 aces, both of which were career bests.

Although he joins the Soaring Eagles as one of just two freshmen in 2018, Miranda has high expectations for Jose Malave '21. The newcomer from San Juan, Puerto Rico, may only stand at 5-feet-8-inches, but he can jump through the roof and can strike the ball with immense power. He's shown considerable consistency despite his rookie status and will be an added weapon to EC's service game.

Should he not be needed as a libero, Cleveland joins Garrett Coleman '20 and newcomer Marques Speller '19 as depth at the outside and opposite hitter positions. Coleman's rookie season was disrupted with injuries, but the 6-foot-6-inch sophomore managed to register 22 kills, 14 digs and seven blocks in 14 matches. Both Cleveland and Coleman have made strides in the preseason and will see expanded playing time in their second seasons.

Season Opener
Baruch will host the EC men on Friday, January 19, at 6:00 p.m. at its Athletics & Recreation Complex (ARC) Arena in New York, New York. If the 2018 season opener is anything like Elmira's recent matches with the Bearcats, fans can expect an exciting bout between the two non-conference foes. Four of the last five matches between the Soaring Eagles and Bearcats have gone to the fifth set, with EC coming out on top of the most recent 3-2 decisions in April of 2015 and March of last season.

Last spring, Baruch finished second in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), but narrowly beat the defending champs from Hunter in the 2018 CUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Although the Hawks earned more first-place votes (5-to-4), the Bearcats edged Hunter in total points, 75-to-72.