ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's volleyball team (6-11, 2-1 E8) earned its second Empire 8 Conference victory on Saturday afternoon, as the Soaring Eagles steamrolled the visiting Saxons of Alfred University (6-13, 0-2 E8) in straight-sets in Speidel Gymnasium.

The Purple and Gold got off to a hot start against their E8 foe, flooring a match-high 14 kills in the opening frame. Lauren Smith '21 led the charge with six kills as EC made an early statement. The Soaring Eagles were able to roll with Alfred's counter-punches throughout the set, eventually opening a three-point lead at 16-13 following back-to-back kills from Amelia Martin '23 and Smith. Alfred pulled back within one late in the set, but Smith snuffed out the comeback bid with a kill off of a feed from Kassi Hastings '21.

Elmira kept the momentum going following the first set, as the Soaring Eagles ran away with the second stanza. The Purple and Gold jumped all over the Saxons and opened an early 11-4 advantage. Alfred started to sneak back into the set, but a 4-0 run bookended by kills from Smith and Kaylene Sauschuck '22 re-established EC's lead at 19-12. Elmira cruised from there to take the set 25-15.

The Soaring Eagles turned in their most efficient attacking performance of the match in the final frame, swinging at a .323 clip as a team. After sneaking ahead early, the Soaring Eagles rattled off four consecutive points, highlighted by a pair of aces from Martin, to seize a commanding 20-13 lead. The offensive outburst served EC well, as the Purple and Gold outlasted Alfred, 25-18.

Smith paced Elmira's attack once again with nine kills. Hastings turned in a fine performance as Elmira's orchestrator, finishing with match-highs in assists (28) and digs (18). The Soaring Eagles were just as strong on the other side of the ball, finishing the match with a 53-to-38 edge in digs.

In his own words…
Head Coach Daniel Miranda on the team's performance…
"The girls played great all weekend and continued to side out better than we have all year! We were offensively balanced and our defense turned up the intensity in a big way. This was a necessary conference victory and the girls handled their business."

News and Notes

• Elmira posted its second Empire 8 victory of the season.
• Elmira hit at a new season-best clip of .250.
• EC finished with a 10-7 advantage in service aces.
• Sauschuck finished with eight kills and no errors, for a .533 attacking percentage.
• Sauschuck tallied a match-best four blocks.
• With 11 digs, Lydia Milligan reached double digits for the fourth time this season.
• Martin tied her season-high with five aces.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles wrap-up their season-long three-game homestand on Tuesday, October 2, when they welcome Wells College to Speidel Gymnasium. Opening serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.