Hanes Posts Season-High 50 Assists in Victory over Penn College
Elmira, NY -- Third-year setter
Sami Hanes '16 posted a season-high 50 assists to guide the Elmira College women's volleyball team (5-15) to a 3-1 win over visiting Pennsylvania College of Technology (8-14). Tonight's match was Elmira's home finale as they will be on the road for the rest of the 2014 season.
Hanes' ability to put her teammates in good positions was apparent tonight as three of her teammates finished with double-digit kills.
Kierstin Derr '16 led Elmira with 16 kills, the second-most kills of her collegiate career.
Ashley Heiman '16 was not far behind with 14 kills, giving the third-year middle-hitter her fifth consecutive match with 10 or more kills. Joining the double-digit kill group was
Paola Ortiz '16 who logged 12 kills, her third double-digit kill effort in Elmira's last five matches.
Defensively, Elmira had four players with double-digit digs, including
Kelsey Ross '16 who produced 22 digs, her second-highest total of the 2014 season. EC's newly appointed libero,
Samantha Hawksley '16, posted her third consecutive 17-dig match, tying her career-best. Derr and
Amanda Blinkinsop '16 rounded out the four Soaring Eagles with double-digit kills as they made 16 and 15, respectively.
Elmira split the first two sets of today's match, winning the first set 25-18 before dropping the second 25-22. However, Elmira set the tone for the rest of the match in the third set when the Soaring Eagles thumped the Wildcats, 25-9. In that third set, Elmira built a substantial lead early as they went on an 8-0 run to take a convincing 12-3 lead and would eventually close the set by winning eight of the final nine points.
The Soaring Eagles carried the momentum from the third set into the fourth as the Elmira women never trailed at any point en route to a 25-20 win and a 3-1 victory for the match.
Tonight's match marked the final home match of the 2014 season for the Soaring Eagles. Elmira will be back on the court this Saturday, October 18th when the Purple and Gold travel to New York, NY to compete in the Hunter Tri-Match where the Soaring Eagles will face Hunter College and Rutgers-Camden. Elmira opens play with a 12:00 p.m. match against host Hunter College.