Elmira, N.Y. - The Elmira College women's volleyball team hosted Alfred University on Saturday afternoon, delivering a strong opening performance. The Soaring Eagles captured the first set and continued to battle throughout the remainder of the match. The Saxons rallied to take the next three sets for the 3-1 victory (23-25, 25-21, 25-12, 25-19).
LEADERS
Leading the Soaring Eagles was
Morgan Sica as she recorded a season high of 13 kills while also grabbing a block.
Averleigh McFarlan also had a solid match as she contributed 12 kills and eight digs.
Vicki Titus paced the defensive effort with 11 digs, followed by
Erin Bracken with 10.
Zoie Karcz dished out 26 assists, while Bracken contributed two service aces.
Aimee Bridges also made an impact at the net, recording four total blocks and four kills.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Elmira opened the match with determination, overcoming an early deficit to take control of the first set. Trailing 4-1, the Soaring Eagles responded with a four-point run with a kill from McFarlan and three Alfred errors to give EC the 5-4 early lead. The Saxons and the Soaring Eagles continued to trade leads throughout the middle of the frame with high intensity from both teams. Sica would deliver three kills with the help from Bridges and McFarlan as set one came to a 20-20 tie. Alfred pulled ahead by two before Elmira rallied another four-point run to take set one, 23-25.
The second set remained competitive as Elmira looked to build on its opening-set momentum. McFarlan recorded multiple kills, while Sica continued to find success offensively. Bridges added a kill, and a strong defensive sequence helped the Soaring Eagles close the gap to 17-16. EC continued to battle, with kills from Bracken and Sica keeping the pressure on Alfred late in the set. Ultimately, the Saxons created separation down the stretch to take the second set, 25-21.
Alfred gained momentum in the third set, using a series of kills and aces to build an early advantage over Elmira. McFarlan provided an offensive spark with multiple kills, while Sica added another point for the Soaring Eagles, 18-11. EC tried to battle, but the Saxons maintained their large lead to take set three, 25-12.
The Soaring Eagles showed resilience again in the fourth set, jumping out to an early lead behind kills from Karcz and Sica. Elmira extended its advantage to 7-1, capitalizing on Saxon errors early. Alfred responded to even the score at 10-10 before gradually pulling ahead. McFarlan and Sica continued to contribute kills, while Bridges helped at the net with a block, but the Saxons closed out the set, 25-19, to take the match.
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles look to roll their strong first set performance over to next week as they take on St. John Fisher on Friday inside Speidel Gymnasium. Game time is slotted for a 6:00 PM start.
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