BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team defeated Elmira (N.Y.) College in their home opener in straight sets by scores of 25-21, 25-22, and 28-26. The Yellow Jackets secure their first win of the season in Ursprung Gymnasium inside the Lou Higgins Center.
BW (1-3) was led by sophomore outside hitter Nick Irelan (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) as he posted 14 kills with just two errors, hitting .545 in the match. Sophomore setter Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley, Ill.) also helped lead the way on offense, dishing out 37 assists. Sophomore All-MCVL outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) finished with a double-double as he earned 10 kills and 10 digs.
The Yellow Jackets and Soaring Eagles (6-2) had three tight sets, sharing 23 total tie scores and five lead changes throughout the match. BW earned 13 kills and hit .474 as a team in the first set to secure the set one win. Getting out-blocked by Elmira in set two (4-1), the Yellow Jackets still found a way offensively, tallying 12 kills. The Soaring Eagles notched two big points late in set two to force a BW timeout, the Yellow Jackets leading 24-22. Out of the timeout, a huge kill by freshman right side hitter Michael Devlin (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) earned BW the set two win.
BW got out to the hot 8-4 lead over Elmira in set three, forcing the Soaring Eagles to their first timeout. Keeping the momentum, the Yellow Jackets held a lead until Elmira chipped away and tied the game at 19-19. It was back-and-forth the remainder of the set. BW and Elmira found themselves tied at 26-26 before another kill by Devlin gave the Yellow Jackets the advantage. A huge kill from Irelan claimed the set (28-26) and match win for BW.
Devlin finished with eight kills. Sophomore middle hitter Don Travis (Reynoldsburg) posted four kills with no errors and added two total blocks.
The Yellow Jackets return to play tomorrow, January 30 as they host Thiel (Pa.) College in a non-conference contest. The match will start at 2:00 p.m. in Ursprung Gymnasium.
