ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College men's volleyball team hosted Wilkes University inside of Speidel Gymnasium for a mid-week matchup. The Soaring Eagles rallied earlier for a 2-0 advantage, but dropped set three before edging past Wilkes 3-1 (25-15, 25-16, 14-25, 30-28).

PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first set, the Soaring Eagles opened on a 5-0 run featuring two service aces from Ethan Davenport. A block from Dylan Vargas and Gabriel Staron put EC ahead 7-2. The Colonels tallied three consecutive points to cut the deficit to two until a kill from Erik Ziemblicki pushed Elmira ahead, 8-5. Both teams traded points until an electric solo block from Vargas and back-to-back solo blocks from Davenport turned the tide for EC to secure set one, 25-15. In set two, the Colonels were not backing down as both teams were evenly contested in a back-and-forth match. A kill from Drake Connors flipped the script in favor of EC, seeing them take a four-point advantage. Connors continued his hot streak with two consecutive kills to elevate the Soaring Eagles, 14-8. Wilkes continued to chip at the deficit but was not enough as Elmira took set two, 25-16.

In the third set of play, the Colonels were first to strike with a kill. Davenport instantly responded with a kill of his own to even the score at one. The Colonels went on a five-point rally to break away from the Soaring Eagles. A pair of kills from Luke Jata cut the deficit to four, but the Colonels continued their offensive hot to streak to hold EC at bay. Wilkes continued to tack onto their lead, leaving Elmira to drop set three 25-14. In set four, both teams were evenly matched to open the set. A solo block from Jata put EC ahead by one before a kill from the Colonels once again evened the match. Kills from Staron and Caden Sims evened the contest at 14 all. Both teams traded points until a long rally saw the Soaring Eagles saw Staron and Vargas with a block to take the lead. A kill from Jata and a service error for the Colonels saw Elmira with a three-point lead. Once again, Wilkes evented the match and sent the fourth set into extra points. Both teams continued to trade points in a high-paced and intense set, seeing a kill from Staron and a trio of points to secure the set 30-28 and the match, 3-1.

LEADERS
Staron led the way offensively with 12 kills and six digs followed by Jata with 11 kills and 12 digs. Davenport was seen tallying four service aces while Vargas recorded four blocks.

UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles hit the road to Riverdale, NY to compete in the UMSV tri-match against the University of Mount Saint Vincent and John Jay College on Saturday, February 7. The match against UMSV is set for 11:00 AM followed by John Jay at 1:00 PM.