Score: No. 15 Elmira College 3, No. 14 SUNY New Paltz 2 (17-25, 25-20, 25-19, 18-25, 15-10)
Records: Elmira (11-4, 2-0 UVC), New Paltz (5-4, 0-1 UVC)
Location: Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. -- Stevenson Athletic Center
 
ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. -- The No. 15-ranked Elmira College men's volleyball team defeated No. 14 SUNY New Paltz, defending 2017 NCAA Division III Championship runner-up, in top-15 United Volleyball Conference (UVC) action by a 3-2 final score at the Stevenson Athletic Center on the campus of Bard College.

After dropping the first set, 25-17, the Soaring Eagles began to hit their stride in the second. In the frame, Elmira stormed ahead 9-6 after multiple errors by the Hawks. After trading points for much of the set, EC took control with the score at 19-18 in its favor, by taking the next three to go ahead 22-18. Dan Symer '19 was a part of all three points, as he made the initial kill to earn the serve and he was the team's server on the latter two. The Soaring Eagles held strong to take the set 25-20 with a Jose Malave '21 kill.

In the third, EC found itself down 7-5 after the first 12 points. A 7-4 push by the Purple and Gold helped Elmira gain the lead 12-11 midway through the frame. A 4-2 push by the Soaring Eagles extended the advantage to three, 16-13. After trading points for the next couple of minutes, the score sat at 21-19 in Elmira's favor, when EC went on to score four consecutive points to take the set 25-19. Matthew Buffum '18 was the catalyst for the strong finish, as he posted a block and an ace in that span.

Following a 25-18 New Paltz victory in the fourth set, the contest would have to be decided in the fifth. Elmira jumped ahead early in the frame, winning six of the first 10 points to go up 6-4. Landon Miller '20 capped off the surge with one of his team-high 13 kills. The Hawks answered by tying the score at 8-all after the next six points. It was at this moment, the Soaring Eagles settled in by taking three straight. Malave started off the run with two kills to give Elmira an 11-8 lead. After two consecutive New Paltz points, the Purple and Gold ended the set and the match with a 4-0 run, sealing the 3-2 win for Elmira.

For the contest, the Soaring Eagles and Hawks both showed strong hitting ability, as Elmira's .273 hitting percentage fell just shy of New Paltz's .283 clip. Where the Purple and Gold really shined was at the service line and at the net, as Elmira bested the Hawks in both aces (8-to-6) and blocks (10-to-3).

Individually, Miller paced EC in both kills (13) and attack percentage (.813). Buffum came close to his second double-double of the season with 10 kills and a match-high seven blocks. Setter Jeremy Best '19 had an all-around great performance with 38 assists, five blocks and three service aces.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Daniel Miranda on today's hard-fought triumph over the 14th-ranked Hawks…
"Landon Miller had the match of his life and it couldn't have come at a better time. Joe Hewes '19 had the most clutch run of the season so far. The guys collectively stepped up in a huge way. Matthew Buffum was a machine all match. Jose Malave and Dan Symer were monsters on both the offensive and defensive ends. This week has been an awesome start to UVC play!"
 
News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 11-4 overall and a perfect 2-0 in conference play so far in 2018.
• The Soaring Eagles have not started 2-0 in league play since the 2012 campaign.
• After beginning the year with two straight five-set losses, EC has won its last five five-setters.
• The Soaring Eagles improved to 2-1 against nationally-ranked opponents this season. 
• The Purple and Gold's 19 block assists today are a season high.
• Elmira has hit above .270 as a team in its last three matches.
• Miller posted new career highs in both kills (13) and attack percentage (.813).
• Buffum's seven blocks are the second-most he has tallied this year.
• Best posted season highs in both blocks (6) and aces (3). 

 
Up Next
Elmira returns to action tomorrow morning, when it challenges The Sage Gators to a UVC bout at 11:00 a.m. at the Stevenson Athletic Center in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.