MIT Box Score
NJCU Box Score
Match Program

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 26, 2011) – The Vassar College men's volleyball team knocked out No. 11 nationally ranked Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and New Jersey City University in straight sets Saturday afternoon at Kenyon Hall.

The Brewers (14-7) take a four-match win streak to Springfield College for a match on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. The Engineers (18-5) host Elms College on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. The Gothic Knights (7-10) play Milwaukee School of Engineering at home on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

Vassar 3, MIT 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-19)

In playing their best match of the season, the Brewers downed MIT in straight sets. In a fast-paced and powerfully played match, Vassar had a particularly strong defensive presence at net, earning 14 blocks (two solo and 14 assisted) in the victory. The eight total team blocks tied for the second best mark of the season and were especially vital in the third and deciding set.

“ It was the best all-around match we've played,” said head coach Jonathan Penn. “We were very steady and focused so it was our best mental match.”

Senior Evan Fredericksen led Vassar with 11 kills, but it was the play of sophomore Matthew Elgin who led an attack game. Elgin had 10 kills and hit .412 for the match. He earned five of those kills in the third set without a miscue. Elgin's net play was the difference, as he collected two block solos and six block assists. Junior Lucas Rathjens contributed nine kills with only one error on 22 attack attempts. Sophomore setter John Konow had 39 of Vassar's 40 set assists. Sophomore Christian La Du had 20 digs, with Fredericksen adding 11 of his own.

MIT, which hit only .154 for the match, was led by junior David Thomas with 13 kills. Sophomore Matt Hohenberger had 11 kills. Senior setter Tim Lee had 20 set assists and 15 digs.

Vassar clinched the match with a smartly played third set that was only tied three times. The Brewers broke free from a 9-9 tie by going on a 10-3 run to take a 19-12 lead on an MIT service error. Vassar had its best attack set (.333) connecting on 13 kills with only one error. The seven point lead held with Elgin securing the final two points of the match off punctuating kills.

Committing nine attack errors and hitting .047 in the second set hurt MIT's chances to extend the match. Vassar jumped out to a 15-10 lead with kills coming from Elgin, Rathjens, and sophomore Charles Caldwell. The Engineers did battle back, drawing to a 21-21 set behind back-to-back kills from junior David Thomas. A kill from Caldwell and back-to-back MIT attack errors with sophomore Patrick Donohue serving pushed Vassar ahead 24-22. A Fredericksen kill earned the Brewers a 2-0 match lead.

The opening set started tightly, with Vassar holding a slight 12-10 lead. The Brewers methodically build an 18-12 lead, but three straight attack errors late in the second enabled the Engineers to tie the set at 20-20. The set was tied at 22 and 23 before a costly MIT attack error and a Fredericksen kill provided the Brewers with a 1-0 match advantage.

Vassar 3, NJCU 0 (25-8, 26-24, 26-24)

The Brewers narrowly defeated New Jersey City University in straight sets with come from behind 26-24 wins in the second and third set. Facing five match points in the third set with a 24-19 deficit, Frederickson carried the team on a 7-0 run to the 26-24 victory. He thumped a punishing kill to regain serve at 24-20 and then pounded three of the following six serves for aces. The Gothic Knights led for the entire set with the exception of two early ties and held its largest lead at 18-9 following a kill by Nathan Joubert.

Trailing 24-22 in the second set, Vassar fought off two set points and claimed the set with a 4-0 run, capping the spurt with a service ace by Caldwell and a kill by Elgin. The Brewers trailed for the entirety of the set and tied twice before the run.

Vassar hummed a .448 hitting percentage in the first set for a commanding 25-8 win. Following a 4-4 tie, the Brewers rolled for a 21-4 run with four kills each from Caldwell and Elgin.

Fredericksen led Vassar with 14 kills on a .448 attack percentage. Junior Clifford Quinn tallied a game high 27 set assists and La Du picked up 14 digs.

Michael Kucza led the Gothic Knights with 10 kills, hitting four each in the second and third sets. Jorge Rodriguez posted 23 set assists and Chris Edra registered 17 digs.