Elmira, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's volleyball team hosted their final home contest tonight against the St. John Fisher Cardinals. The Soaring Eagles battled late, putting together a strong offensive performance before the Cardinals secured a straight three set victory (25-9, 25-19, 25-20).
LEADERS
Averleigh McFarlan led Elmira offensively with nine kills, while
Morgan Sica followed closely with eight. McFarlan also contributed six digs and a block on the night.
Zoie Karcz orchestrated the offense with 16 assists and added seven digs, while
Vicki Titus paced the defensive effort with six digs and chipped in four assists and one ace.
Erin Bracken recorded two kills and
Aimee Bridges added a kill and a block.
PLAY-BY-PLAY
St. John Fisher established an early advantage in the opening set, as they built a 4-0 lead. McFarlan got EC on the board with a kill assisted by Titus, and she added another shortly after to keep the Soaring Eagles within reach. Bridges contributed a kill as Elmira worked to find their rhythm on the court, while Titus delivered a serviced ace. However, the Cardinals continued to apply pressure, putting together a lengthy scoring run to pull away and take the first set, 25-9.
Elmira responded with a more competitive effort in the second set, trading points with the Cardinals early. McFarlan recorded a kill off a Karcz assists, and the Soaring Eagles capitalized on a St. John Fisher error to even the score at 2-2. Sica and McFarlan continued to provide offensive production, while
Gabby Lewis added a kill to keep EC in the fight. The Soaring Eagles stayed within striking distance through the middle of the set, with McFarlan and Sica connecting on additional kills to help try and close the gap. Despite Elmira's efforts, the Cardinals created separation late and claimed the second set, 25-19.
The Soaring Eagles saved their strongest offensive showing for the third set, recording 11 kills and pushing St. John Fisher throughout the frame. McFarlan opened the scoring for EC with a kill, then added two more early as the teams battled through several ties. Bracken and Lewis contributed kills, while Sica found success delivering consecutive kills and McFarlan adding another allowed Elmira to hold a three-point lead, 10-13. With the score tied at 17-17, the Cardinals pulled away slowly, as Bracken recorded the final kill of the night to bring the Soaring Eagles within four at 24-20. St. John Fisher ultimately closed out the competitive set, 25-20, to complete the sweep.
UP NEXT
Elmira continues the rest of their conference play on the road as they head to Nazareth tomorrow afternoon for a 1 PM match-up.
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