Box | Updated Stats
ROCHESTER, NY – Host Nazareth took care of step one on Wednesday to keep pace in United Volleyball Conference play, downing Elmira in three sets, 27-25, 25-19, 25-19.  Two more crucial conference matches await the Golden Flyers this weekend as they travel to Vassar on Saturday for a tri-match with The Brewers and NYU.

Nazareth improves to 16-8 overall and 2-1 in conference play with the win, while Elmira drops to 7-16 overall and 0-3, respectively. 

The Golden Flyers nearly let a sizeable lead in the first set slip away after leading 20-16.  Elmira eventually evened the score at 23 apiece. Despite being outhit .324 to .268 in the set, the Golden Flyers prevailed down the stretch.   Ethan Ross had five of his eight match kills in the opening set.  He hit .438 (8 k-16 A-1 E) overall.

In the second set, Nazareth returned the favor with 11 kills on 23 attacks (.391) – it had just two errors.  Zachary Gillard put down four kills on six attempts. 

Nazareth dug deep in the final part of third set, breaking a 19-19 tie with four straight points.  Sam Bittker started the rally with a service ace which helped propel Nazareth to the sweep.

Gillard went for 10 kills (.222) and four digs.

Sean Dillon was efficient with seven kills on 12 attempts (.417) with just two errors.  Bittker also ended with seven kills to go along with a game-high three service aces. 

Tom Keisling chipped in nine digs, while Jake Kemp had 36 assists.