ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's volleyball team (13-15) ended the regular season on a high note on Saturday afternoon, as the Purple and Gold picked up a pair of wins over Cazenovia College (3-21) and Baruch College (18-10) on the final day of the Dig Pink Invitational.
Match 1
The Soaring Eagles picked up their second win of the season over the Wildcats, as EC earned a 3-1 victory over Cazenovia to open the final day of the regular season.
Elmira rediscovered its offensive firepower, as the Purple and Gold hit .202 as a team.
Sam Sprague '22 kept up her stellar play with a team-high-tying 10 kills and a .250 attack percentage.
Savannah Terry '21 matched Sprague's output with 10 kills to go along with a pair of blocks.
Kaylene Sauschuck '21 chipped in with five kills, while
Kassi Hastings '21 showcased her two-way play with a 21-assist, 16-dig, double-double.
After EC took the opening set, 25-20, Cazenovia came back and stole the second frame, 25-21. Despite the setback, Elmira responded excellently, rattling off two consecutive victories to earn a 3-1 match win.
Match 2
Elmira kept the good times rolling in its second match of the afternoon, as the Soaring Eagles earned a gritty 3-2 victory over the Bearcats of Baruch to close out the Dig Pink Invitational.
Baruch came out firing, winning the opening set, 25-9, behind a .250 attack percentage. Elmira answered immediately, however, taking the next two sets, 25-23, and 25-21, respectively. The Purple and Gold were on fire in the third set, hitting at a .419 clip while flooring a match-best 16 kills. EC was unable to close out Baruch in the fourth stanza, as the Bearcats forced a decisive fifth frame with a 25-13 victory. The Soaring Eagles remained unfazed, taking the final set, 15-13.
Terry led the charge for the Purple and Gold with a team-high 15 kills while swinging at a stellar .519 clip. Sprague chipped in with nine kills, while Sauschuck added 8 to round out Elmira's attack. Hastings turned in a masterful performance orchestrating the offense with a match-high 42 assists. On the defensive side of the ball,
Cassie Potter '20 paced EC with 24 digs.
News and Notes
- Elmira ends the regular season with a 13-15 overall record.
- EC earned wins in both of its five-set matches this season.
- Potter's 24 digs marked a season-high.
- Terry posted a season-high 15 kills against Baruch.
- Sprague's 10 kills against Cazenovia set a new career-high.
- Hastings tallied over 40 assists for the third time this season.
- Kelsey Lofvenborg '22 posted seven kills and a season-best 11 digs against the Bearcats.
In his own words…
Head Coach
Daniel Miranda on the team's performance…
"Our middles were extremely efficient on offense," Miranda stated. "We struggled passing but found a way to get the job done. Kelsey [Lofvenborg] stepped up in a big way for us when we needed a consistent pass and swing option. We are revved up for next weekend and eager to play some playoff ball against St. John Fisher!"
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action on Friday, November 8, when they head to Rochester, N.Y., to compete in the Empire 8 Conference Championships. Elmira will battle the No. 1-seeded Cardinals of St. John Fisher in the semifinal round. Opening serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
