Box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth was able to successfully defend its recently appointed No. 1 ranking in Division III men's volleyball Tuesday as the Golden Flyers rallied for a five-set victory over 13th-ranked Medaille. Scores were 26-28, 25-21, 25-18, 22-25, 15-11.

The Golden Flyers are tied for first with Juniata in this week's Top 15 poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. They improved to 12-3 and 4-0 in the United Volleyball Conference. Medaille is 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the UVC.

After splitting the first four sets, Nazareth surged to a 4-1 lead in the decisive fifth set and extended the advantage to 11-6 on a kill by senior Ellis Walsh, who finished with a team-high 18 kills. Medaille closed to within 12-10 following a kill by Erin Kelly, but Nazareth took three of the last four points with sophomore Rob Kraft rising up for the final kill of the match. Kraft also had a service ace and a block in the final set.

Walsh's 18 kills came against just two hitting errors in 27 attempts for a .593 percentage. He benefited from precision setting by sophomore EJ Wells-Spicer, who amassed 54 assists to go with four kills and two service aces.

After dropping a close first set, Nazareth rallied to take the next two sets as senior Hans Schroeder had seven of his 14 kills and two of his three service aces. Walsh also had seven kills in that stretch.

Senior Brian Bunch added 11 kills in 26 swings and junior Billy Gimello had 10 with five digs and three blocks. Nick Johnson led Medaille with 18 kills and Kelly had 15. Ryan Maxwell had 52 assists.

Nazareth returns to action this weekend for three matches at the Vassar Tournament in Poughkeepsie. Nazareth plays Lasell Friday at 6 p.m. then Vassar and Johnson & Wales on Saturday.