Score: Alfred University 3, Elmira College 1 [25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20]
Records: Alfred (3-19, 3-3 E8), Elmira (10-15, 2-4 E8)
Location: Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, N.Y.
 
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- After topping Alfred University just a short four days ago, the Elmira College women's volleyball team was unable to duplicate that result as the Soaring Eagles suffered a hard-to-swallow 3-1 setback to the Saxons on Class of 2019 Recognition Day at Speidel Gymnasium.
 
Tiara John '19 paced the Purple and Gold with a team-high nine kills and tied for the team lead in block with three, while Natalie Schieder '19 chipped in with six kills and Savannah Terry '21 added five kills. Taylor Kaznowski '19 orchestrated the Elmira attack with 30 assists to go along with a team-high three service aces and 10 digs.  
 
Freshman Kaylene Sauschuck '22 added a trio of blocks. Kasey Campbell '19 tied for the team lead in digs with Schieder, as the two seniors logged 11 apiece. Campbell also floored two aces.
 
Elmira was in the driver's seat in the opening set with an 18-15 lead, but the Saxons showed their resolve by going on a 10-1 run to close out the set and take it, 25-19. During the run, Elmira committed four attack errors, while Alfred racked up three aces.
 
The Soaring Eagles responded nicely in the second set and jumped out to an eight-point lead, 14-6. During that stretch, Schieder produced a pair of kills and a service ace, while John added two kills and a block. Alfred attempted to claw its way back into the set, but only came as close as five points, as the Purple and Gold rolled to a 25-17 second-set win.
 
Momentum seemed to have shifted in favor of the Soaring Eagles, but Alfred once again weathered the storm and kept the match close through the first third of the set. However, the Saxons eventually built their lead to as many as six points, 21-15, before closing the door on the Elmira women, 25-20.
 
The fourth set featured a trio of big runs, as Alfred jumped out to a 5-1 lead, followed by a 4-0 run by Elmira to tie it at 5-5, before the Saxons went on a 5-0 tear to claim a 10-5 advantage. Alfred would go up by as many as 10 points, 18-8, before Elmira attempted to chip away at the deficit. However, the rally proved to be too little too late, as the Saxons marched away with a 25-15 win in the fourth to clinch the match 3-sets-to-1.
 
News and Notes

• Elmira honored its eight graduating members of the Class of 2019, the largest senior class in EC's history, prior to this evening's match.
• Elmira's 57 digs are the most the team has recorded in six matches.
• The 6.0 total team blocks are the most EC has logged since totaling 9.0 against Wells on October 3, 2018.
• Kaznowski produced her 13th 30-plus assist effort and her 11th match with 10-plus digs.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will look to bounce back tomorrow night when they travel to face SUNY Delhi in non-league action. The opening serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.