CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- The Elmira College men's volleyball team was unable to keep pace with the hot hitting of MIT on Friday evening, as the Soaring Eagles fell in their United Volleyball Conference (UVC) opener against the Engineers.

As a team, MIT (8-3, 1-0 UVC) was deadly efficient, as the Engineers hit at a .443 clip over the three-set affair. Elmira (4-9, 0-1 UVC) struggled to counteract MIT's presence at the net, as the Purple and Gold hit .163 for the match, while the home side registered six blocks to stifle EC's offense.

Tyler Anderson '23 led Elmira's attack once again, as the first-year talent registered a match-high 12 kills. Luke Milligan '23 added six kills, while Matt Straney '20 floored five kills with a .556 attack percentage. The Engineers were paced by Nicholas Gustafson, who posted 10 kills.

After falling in the opening set, EC looked primed to bounce back in the second frame. After slipping behind 19-12, Elmira pulled back within four as Eric Jackson '23 tossed up an ace. Despite the rally, the Engineers were able to race out to a 22-16 edge. The Soaring Eagles clawed back to within five off of a kill from Anderson, but MIT held firm to take the set.

News and Notes

• Elmira and MIT each finished with 19 digs.
• Anderson floored double-digit kills for the seventh time this season.
• Anderson matched his season-high with six digs.
• Garrett Coleman '20 registered a team-best 23 assists.
• Straney tied his season-best attack percentage (.556).

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles continue UVC play on Sunday, February 16, when they trek to Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, for a tilt against Bard. Opening serve against the Raptors is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.