Box | updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Junior Alex Houghtalen combined a match-high 11 kills with three service aces and three digs Wednesday as host Nazareth swept Elmira in a three-set men's volleyball match at the Golden Flyers' Kidera Gymnasium. Scores were 25-19, 25-18, 25-20.

Nazareth, ranked seventh nationally in Division III, improved to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in the United Volleyball Conference. Elmira suffered its first defeat in conference play, dropping to 4-1 in the UVC and 12-6 overall.

Houghtalen's 11 kills came on just 17 attempts for a tidy .471 hitting percentage. Senior Ellis Walsh was even more efficient with 10 kills in 11 attempts for a .909 hitting percentage.

Senior Billy Gimello had seven kills and freshman Luke Lawatsch had six. Junior setter EJ Wells-Spicer amassed 36 assists as Nazareth hit .484 as a team.

After winning the first set, Nazareth fell behind 13-9 in the second set before Houghtalen served for five straight points to enable Nazareth go regain the lead. Lawatsch, Walsh and Gimello each posted kills during the scoring run and Houghtalen served for an ace. Houghtalen had four of his kills during set two.

In the third set, Elmira was within 14-13 before Wells-Spicer served for four straight points, including one by service ace. Walsh had four of his kills in the third set and Gimello had three, including the match-clinching spike off an assist from Wells-Spicer.

Nazareth plays again Friday against Medaille in a non-conference match at Midlakes High School. The match, featuring Midlakes alums Wells-Spicer and Dan Mowery of Nazareth and Erin Kelly of Medaille, will serve as a fundraiser for former Midlakes player David Crouch, who died in a farming accident shortly after his high school graduation. More recently, David's father, John Crouch, has started treatment for blood cancer.

Admission for Friday's match is $5 for adults, $3 for students with all proceeds going to the Crouch family.