Box Score

HOBOKEN, NJ (January 27, 2013) – After coming from behind to win the first set 27-25, the No. 12 nationally-ranked Vassar College men's volleyball team seemed headed toward an upset of No. 6 Stevens Institute of Technology in the first United Volleyball Conference match of the season.  The host Ducks rebounded, however, and won the next three sets for a 25-27, 25-12, 25-18, 25-15 victory over the Brewers at Canavan Arena.

The Brewers fought off match point at 25-24 to win the first set, earned by a kill from senior Matt Elgin. But in winning the next three sets, Stevens never trailed at any time, forcing the Brewers to play from behind throughout. The Ducks were effective in the attack game hitting .465. Comparatively, the Brewers hit .148.

The loss drops Vassar to 1-2, 0-1 on the season. Stevens improves to 2-2, 1-0. The Brewers will next compete at the UVC Crossover against Penn State-Behrend and Nazareth on February 9. Stevens next hosts Ramapo and Sacred Heart on February 2.

The first and third sets were the best played for the Brewers. The first set was tied 17 times, Vassar was able to stave off a set point following a bad set by Stevens. An attack error and the Elgin set-winning kill earned the Brewers the 27-25 win.

Stevens stormed right back in the second set, building a quick 19-10 lead. The Brewers were never able to cut into the margin, falling 25-12.

In the third set, Stevens jumped out quickly again, earning a 10-5 lead, but Vassar was able to take advantage of serving miscues to claw back into the match, trailing only 15-11. Vassar was able to stay within five-point striking range and following a kill from freshman Reno Kriz trailed 22-17. Stevens got a big kill from Thomas Hannum down the middle of the court for a 23-17 lead and took the important third set 25-18.

The fourth set followed a similar pattern and score sequence as the third set. Stevens broke out quickly and the Brewers were on their heels, never able to swing the momentum against a strong Stevens attack game.

Kriz led the Brewers with 11 kills and Elgin had ten. Senior Charlie Caldwell chipped in eight kills. Senior John Konow had 31 set assists. Senior libero Christian La Du had 11 digs.

Stevens spread double figures kills between David Evans with 14, Ryan Seifert with 12 and Hannum with ten.  Kevin Aeckerle had 50 set assists and Seifert led the team with 12 digs.