Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The No. 15 State University of New York at New Paltz men's volleyball team (4-3, 1-1 UVC) dropped a 3-0 (27-25, 27-25, 25-23) decision against Elmira College (3-5, 1-1 UVC) on Saturday afternoon in United Volleyball Conference (UVC) action on the campus of Medaille College as a part of a UVC Crossover.

The Hawks' chances at victory were foiled by 14 service errors and the inability to block well in comparison to the Soaring Eagles. New Paltz had 3.5 total team blocks, while Elmira compiled eight.

New Paltz battled with Elmira throughout, as the Soaring Eagles won each set by no more than two points. Elmira, however, was able to use its mettle down the stretch to secure its first-ever UVC victory.

Senior outside hitter Keith MacDonald (Monroe Township, N.J.) and junior middle blocker Kevin Stross (Port Washington, N.Y.) paced the Hawk attack with 13 and 11 kills, respectively. MacDonald hit .333 on the match, while Stross boasted a hitting percentage of .350. Senior setter Andrew Cassius (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had a match-high 31 assists, while junior defensive specialist/libero Frank Ciccone (Long Beach, N.Y.) had a team-high eight digs.

For Elmira, who had the same seven players play the full match, Eric Sandmann led the way with a match-high 16 kills and 10 digs. Michael Vellutato handed out 26 assists, while Brayden Abbey had 10 digs. Roman Kononenko shored up the front row with one block solo and two block assists.

New Paltz seeks to right the ship tomorrow morning when it takes on D'Youville College at 10 a.m. in Buffalo, N.Y., on the second and final day of the UVC Crossover.