May 5, 2024

Tiara John (Navajo) paced Elmira College’s attack with a team-high 14 kills versus Wells College Wednesday Evening

AURORA, N.Y. — Despite taking the first set from Wells on Wednesday evening, the Elmira College women’s volleyball couldn’t fend off the Express, falling in four sets on the road in non-conference action.

Tiara John (Navajo) paced EC’s attack with a team-high 14 kills. Natalie Schieder ’19 and Savannah Terry ’21 finished with 11 kills apiece. Schieder added 12 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. Terry posted a career-high 6 blocks while Taylor Kaznowski ’19 finished with 42 assists.

Elmira cruised in the first set, winning 25-19 as they stifled Wells’ attack, holding the Express to a .161 hitting percentage. EC forced Wells into an early timeout after a block from Lauren Smith ’21 and Terry put EC up 9-6. The Purple and Gold never relinquished their lead from there, using a 4-0 run to seal the set as John and Kaylene Sauschuck ’22 floored back-to-back kills to bring the opener to a close.

Wells took a back-and-forth second set 26-24 to tie the match at 1-1. The Express’ attack heated up in the third set with, hitting at a .286 clip. EC couldn’t string together a consistent attack during the set as Wells took the set 25-18.

The final set saw Wells jump out to an early lead, but a 3-0 run highlighted by kills from John and Karina Hastings ’19 pulled the Purple and Gold back within one at 16-15.  That was as close as the  Soaring Eagles would get, as Wells fended off the barrage to take the final set 25-22.