POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- Baruch started its schedule with an impressive four set victory against Vassar on Friday night.
The visiting Bearcats, currently ranked No. 5 in the preseason AVCA coaches' poll, hit .378 with 51 total kills for the victory against a non-conference opponent from the United Volleyball Conference.
They opened with a convincing 25-18 first set victory, but the Brewers took the second set 26-24.
The Bearcats dominated the third set (25-14), and hit a torrid .429 in the fourth for a narrow 25-23 score to walk off with the road victory.
Chris Kaimis led the attack with 13 kills (.500) and Brady Ambro had 12 kills (.474).
Jack McKee pounded out 10 kills (.364) and was also busy with seven digs, five blocks and one ace.
Steven Coniglio finished with nine kills (583.), four blocks and two aces. His brother Brian had a solid match with 41 assists and five blocks.
Vassar struggled hitting .198 and totaled only six kills in the third set.
No. 3 Juniata 3, No. 14 Elmira 0
HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata extended its win streak to three after starting its two-day tri-match with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-19) win against No. 14 Elmira College on Friday night in the Kennedy Sports+Recreation Center. Juniata (3-0) dominated at the net, out-blocking Elmira 11.5-5 and hitting .313 as a team. Elmira fell to 0-1 with the loss.
"Guys played well," head coach Kevin Moore said. "We knew Elmira would be a good test out the gate here at home. They've taken us to five the last two times we've played them. And they came out with a quick tempo offense that put some pressure on us when they were in system. Fortunately, our servers were really able to get after it from the service line."
Three Eagles earned match-highs. At the net, senior Alex McColgin finished with a match and season-high 12 kills and sophomore Chad Albert earned a match-high six blocks, one off from his career-high. This is the second consecutive match that Albert earned the match-high in blocks. He currently leads the team with 13 total blocks this season.
Fellow sophomore Matt Elias ran the offense and earned a match-high 32 assists. He was able to spread the ball around evenly to the attackers so each front man had double-digit swings. This was his second 30-plus assist performance.
