MARCY, N.Y. – In their final game at the SUNYIT Men's Volleyball Invitational Tournament on Saturday afternoon, Mount Ida took a 2-0 lead on Elms College but were unable to close out the game, falling 3-2 to open their 2014 season.

In a match that was tightly contested for four of the five sets, Mount Ida used matching 25-22 scores to take the lead on the Blazers, but found themselves bested by an identical score in the third set. Elms forced a tie with a decisive 25-12 win in the fourth set, then edged Mount Ida 15-12 to secure the victory.

Mount Ida was led offensively by sophomore James Ames (West Hartford, Conn.), who tallied 14 kills and also dug seven balls, while making just five errors on 41 attempts.

Senior Nick Schibi (Torrington, Conn.) added ten kills, while Nick Melillo (North Haven, Conn.) and Dennis Miranda (Hialeah, Fla.) each had eight kills and combined for five service aces.

The Mustangs split setter duties between Brady Rodriguez (Longwood, Fla.) and Michael McCullough (Southborough, Mass.). Rodriguez set up 24 points, while McCullough assisted on 14 kills.

For the Blazers, Bryson Rainey had a strong day hitting, racking up 24 kills and hitting at a .465 clip (24-4-43). Kordel Latimer added 16 kills and Kevin Welsh tallied 42 assists in the five-set win.

Mount Ida dropped their first match of the day in the Gold Bracket, 3-0 to Hilbert College, by scores of 25-23, 25-22, and 25-19.

Ames again led the team with eight kills and seven digs, while Rodriguez piled up 22 assists.

Adam Weaver led Hilbert with 25 kills on his own.

The Mustangs (1-4) will look to regroup right away, as they travel to Lesley tonight at 8:00 pm before their home opener on Wednesday at 6:00 pm against Regis.