Ramapo Box Score
Philadelphia Biblical Box Score

MAHWAH, NJ (January 22, 2011) – The Vassar College men's volleyball team will head into its home opener on Tuesday against Bard College after splitting two matches on Saturday. The Brewers opened play with a 3-0 win over Ramapo College (31-29, 25-21, 25-16) and falling 3-1 to No. 6 nationally ranked Philadelphia Biblical (22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 17-25).

Now 1-2 on the season, Vassar will host Bard and Hunter College at Kenyon Hall on January 25 and January 27 at 7:00 pm.

In both matches, the Brewers got solid performances from senior Evan Fredericksen and junior Lucas Rathjens. Fredericksen had 18 kills against Philadelphia Biblical, while Rathjens led the way against Ramapo with 12 kills, the second highest total of his career. Sophomore setter John Konow had two solid matches, notching 30 assists against Ramapo and 39 versus Philadelphia Biblical. Sophomore liberto Christian La Du had 18 digs against Ramapo and 12 against PBU.

Vassar 3, Ramapo 1 (31-29, 25-21, 25-16)
The Brewers turned the tide, and perhaps the match, away from Ramapo in the opening set. Down 19-11, Vassar tied the set 22-22 on a Rathjens kill and then took a 23-22 lead after the junior earned another kill. The set was deadlocked at 26-26, 27-27 and 29-29 before a Ramapo service error and subsequent attack error pushed Vassar ahead 31-29.

With that momentum, Vassar raced out to a 18-12 lead in the second set. Ramapo was able to close within 21-18 following a Vassar attack error, but kills by Rathjens and Konow secured points 24 and 25 for the second set victory.

In the final set against Ramapo, the Brewers fell behind 12-7, but won nine straight points for a 16-12 lead and then capitalized on Ramapo miscues to go on a seven point run and close out the match 25-17.

Philadelphia Biblical 3, Vassar 1 (22-25, 13-25, 25-23, 17-25)
Led by senior Justin Brubaker, a returning First-Team AVCA All-America who had 24 kills, Philadelphia Biblical won the opening two sets against the Brewers.

The opening set was tightly contested, and saw the Brewers hold a 13-10 lead and tied the set at 17-17 following a kill by sophomore Patrick Donohue. Philadelphia Biblical went ahead 23-19, Vassar closed within 23-21 and 24-22, but came up short following a set ending service error.
The Brewers built a quick 3-0 lead in the second set and led 4-1 before Brubaker kills and assorted miscues allowed Philadelphia Biblical to ease into the 25-13 win.

Vassar's 25-23 third set victory was hard-fought with the set tied at 23-23 before a Rathjens kill and Philadelphia Biblical attack error earned Vassar the victory.

In the final set, Vassar got down early and could mount enough of a comeback. Philadelphia Biblical led 21-14 and got back-to-back kills from Brubaker down the stretch for the match ending 25-17 win.
Sophomore Matthew Elgin had 10 kills against Philadelphia converting on 10 of 19 chances without an error for a .526 attack percentage. Rathjens had eight kills, Donohue and sophomore Charles Caldwell each had four kills.

Beside's Brubaker's 24 kills, Noah Prickett had 12 kills. Drew Dillion had 46 assists and Josh Tuttle had 15 defensive digs.