Elmira, NY- The Alfred State Volleyball team dominated and secured their 10^th win of the season over the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-18). The Pioneers and Eagles faced off last Tuesday, where ASC also nailed a win over Elmira in three sets. The Pios now head into conference play with a 10-6 overall record.
 
In tonight's match-up, the Pioneers were led by Alayna Tomlinson as she slotted 11 kills, six digs and three aces. Erin Gregoire followed suit with a great performance, notching eight kills and four blocks. Gabriella Thurmond supported the team with 33 assists and six aces and digs.
 
The first set erupted with a Carmen Crowley kill followed by a Thurmond service ace. In a four-point rally, Gloria Stem aided with two kills, Carmen adding two of her own aces, putting the Pios up 8-4. ASC closed out the set with the help of three Eagle errors, as they took the win 25-15. Tomlinson kicked off set two with an electrifying kill, Thurmond tacking on another ace right after. The Eagles managed to take a small lead early in the set until freshmen Sophia Phillips grabbed a kill and Crowley tied it up with an ace, 6-6. The Pioneers took true control, recording a seven-point rally. Thurmond tallying four of those points off service aces, Tomlinson and Stem adding kills of their own, putting them in a six-point lead, 19-13. Gregoire, Stem and Tomlinson wrapped up the second set with three consecutive kills, 25-17.
 
In the final set, Elmira fought hard to continue the match, battling each point. Becca Jackson notched three out of the four first points for the Pioneers with three kills. The Eagles made multiple comebacks throughout the third set but to no avail as the Pios continued to lock in and regain their lead. A five-point rally secured the match as Jackson, Gregoire and Tomlinson all contributed with kills to end the night on a 25-18 set win.
 
Alfred will host two matches this Saturday, starting the day off with their first conference game against Mount Aloysius at 12 pm. Following that match-up, our neighboring school will head over for the inaugural Alfred Cup game at 4 pm!