Score: Stevens Institute of Technology 3, Elmira College 0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-17)
Records: Elmira (5-5, 0-1 UVC), Stevens (6-1, 1-0 UVC)
Location: Canavan Arena – Hoboken, N.J.

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- The Elmira College men's volleyball team put up a valiant fight, but couldn't keep pace with the No. 4-ranked Ducks of Stevens Institute of Technology on Friday evening, as the Soaring Eagles dropped their United Volleyball Conference (UVC) opener on the road.

EC's offense flowed through the quartet of Jose Malave '21, Ryan McDonough'19, Matt Straney '20 and Garrett Coleman '20. Malave paced EC with nine kills, while McDonough, Straney and Coleman all added eight kills apiece. Straney tidied up an efficient night at the net with a .583 hitting percentage. Despite their best efforts, the Soaring Eagles struggled to keep pace with the Ducks' attack, as Stevens hit at a .400 clip as a team over three sets. David Lehman led the charge for the home side with 10 kills.

EC slipped behind early in the first set, as Stevens used a 6-0 run to jump ahead. McDonough floored a kill off of a feed from Jeremy Best'19 to halt the run, but it wasn't enough to swing momentum back in the Purple and Gold's favor. The Ducks maintained their lead the rest of the way as EC was unable to muster a comeback.

The second set was the tightest affair of the evening, as the Soaring Eagles went blow-for-blow with their UVC rival. With the Ducks leading 19-12, EC responded with a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to three. Garrett Coleman '20 and Straney registered one kill a piece, while Malave punctuated the barrage with an ace. Elmira continued to push the Ducks, fending off a set-point through a kill from Straney. However, Stevens answered on the very next point, as Andrew Amerman brought the set to a close.

The Purple and Gold hung with the Ducks early on in the third set as they looked to force a fourth set. Back-to-back kills from McDonough knotted the score at 13-13, but a 3-0 run from Stevens pushed EC behind. Stevens fended off the Soaring Eagles from there, taking the final set by a score of 25-17.

News and Notes

• Stevens held the edge in digs, 37-32.
• Ryan Branigan'19 paced EC with a match-high eight digs.
• Best finished with 31 assists.
• Coleman registered seven kills.
• Straney's .583 hitting percentage was a season-best.  

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles continue UVC play on Saturday afternoon when they head to the Big Apple to challenge the Violets of New York University. Opening serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.