Men's Volleyball Falls to Elmira, 3-1

ERIE, Pa. – Ryan Gelenitis tallied 13 kills and Michael Vellutato dished out 40 assists to lead Elmira over Penn State Behrend 3-1 in United Volleyball Conference (UVC) action on Tuesday night at the Junker Center.

The Soaring Eagles (6-4, 1-0 UVC) took a two-set lead, narrowly winning in the first and clinching the win in the fourth to defeat the Lions (0-6, 0-1 UVC) in the conference opener for both teams (26-24, 25-13, 19-25, 25-20).

Grant Kocher (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) and Kevin Dyer (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) each knocked in eight kills, while Evan Fullerton (Ambridge, PA/Ambridge) recorded 24 assists.  Kocher added a team-best 10 digs and Anthony Capizzi (Pittsburgh, PA/Pittsburgh Central Catholic) made seven blocks.

In a first set where neither team had more than a four point lead, the Lions rallied back from a 20-16 deficit to knot the game at 24-all. Elmira got a kill from Mike Stianche and Gelenitis to take a one-game lead.

The Soaring Eagles did not give Behrend a chance to get in game two, winning 25-13, but the Lions' fight continued into the third set for a 25-19 victory. With a 16-12 advantage, Capizzi and Tory Larson (Penn Hills, PA/Homeschooled) tallied a kill to keep the four-point lead. Elmira managed to pull within two at 21-19 on back-to-back attack errors. Dyer posted another kill and Kocher served out the final three points, making one of those an ace for the win.

In the final set, the Soaring Eagles never trailed. Elmira had four different players with three kills apiece, one being Austin Sanderl who slammed in the last kill at 25-20.

Behrend returns to action on Wednesday, February 8 at D'Youville. Match time is 7 p.m.