Early Season Woes Continue for Men's Volleyball, After Sweep at Sage Tri-Match

ALBANY, N.Y. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team traveled to Russell Sage College for a non-conference tri-match against the Gators and Elmira College Saturday.

BASICS
Match 1
Score: Elms College 0 (12, 18, 17) | Russell Sage College 3 (25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 2-5, 0-1 (GNAC) | Gators 3-9, 0-0 (NEVC)

Match 2
Score: Elms College 1 (9, 12, 25, 20) | Elmira College 3 (25, 25, 23, 25)
Records: Blazers 2-6, 3-12 (GNAC) | Soaring Eagles 10-0, 0-0 (UVC)

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Match 1 

The opening set would begin with both sides trading points with Elms earning an early 2-1 lead, but Sage would regain momentum after recording a kill and capitalizing on errors by the Blazers. As the Gators offense continued to control the set, the Elms offense would take advantage of errors by Sage and see kills from sophomore Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.) first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.) sophomore Al Sánchez (Guayama, P.R.), but the Gators would take the first set 25-12.

The second set would see the Blazers earn a 7-5 lead, after kills from Uschmann, Najere Bolan, and junior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), but the Sage offense would then retake the lead. The Elms offense would continue their efforts to earn the lead, with the assistance of a kill by senior Joshua Fernandez Garcia (Canovanas, P.R.) and back-to-back service aces from Ladouceur, but the Gators would win the second set 25-18.

The third and final set would begin the two foes battling for the lead, with the Blazers capitalizing on service aces from Ladouceur and sophomore James Davis (Leetsdale, Penn.), along with kills by Uschmann and Artero, but Sage would gain the first major lead of the set. Elms would battle back to tie the set 27-27, with the help from a combined nine kills by Fernandez Garcia, Uschmann, Artero, and Ladouceur, along with multiple service aces from Ladouceur and Uschmann, but the Gators would secure the sweep by winning the set 29-27.

Match 2

The opening set would begin with three-straight points from Elmira, a kill by Uschmann would momentarily pause their opponent's scoring streak, but the Soaring Eagles offense would return to scoring. As Elmira continued to tally points in their favor, the Blazers offense would not be deterred, including two kills by Artero, along with other kills from Fernandez Garcia, Sánchez, and Uschmann, but the Soaring Eagles would earn the opening set 25-9.

The second set would begin with a similar narrative as Elmira would earn another early lead, but Ladouceur would record the first kill for Elms. as the Soaring Eagles would continue to add to their lead, Uschmann would add two kills, but Elmira would win the second set 25-12.

The third set would begin with a different story, as both sides would battle for the lead, with the assistance of Ladouceur recording a service ace and two block assists, Artero adding a kill and two block assists, Sánchez making a kill, Uschmann adding three kills and a block, and Davis making a service ace, a block, and a block assist, to help the Blazers win their first set of the day, 25-23.

The fourth and final set would begin with another early battle as both sides would continue to fight for early advantage, with Elms seeing kills by Uschmann, Fernandez Garcia, Artero, and Davis, but the Elmira offense would take over, earning a seven-point lead. As the set would continue, the Blazers would continue their resilience with the assistance of Uschmann recording three kills and a service ace, along with a combined three blocks from Ladoucuer, Davis, and Fernandez Garcia. Unfortunately, the Soaring Eagles would win the final set 25-20, and defeat Elms 3-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Uschmann would make 21 kills, 10 digs, two service aces, and a block assist.

• Ladouceur recorded 37 assists, 10 digs, six service aces, four kills, and four block assists.

• Artero created eight kills, four dig, and three block assists.

• Fernandez Garcia generated eight digs, five kills, and three assists.

• Sánchez made 11 digs, four kills, and an assist.

• Bolan added two kills to his season totals.

• Davis would make two block assists, a kill, and a service ace.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will travel to Curry College in a non-conference match on Wednesday, February 12th at 6 pm.

--

For continuing coverage of Elms College Athletics, visit www.ecblazers.com and follow the Blazers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.