Box Score

BUFFALO, NY (February 10, 2013) – Junior Joe Pyne recorded 13 kills and senior Matt Elgin hit an impressive .500, as the Vassar College men's volleyball team evened its season record at 3-3 with a 3-1 victory over Hilbert College in the second day of play at the United Volleyball Conference Crossover at Medaille College.

Pyne and Elgin were the offensive stalwarts for a Brewers team that won 25-19, 25-21, 13-25 and 25-9 to lead Vassar (3-3, 2-2 UVC), but they weren't alone. Senior Charlie Caldwell had six kills and hit .417 for the match, freshman Reno Kriz had five kills and also hit .417 and senior Patrick Donohue had four kills and hit .571. As a team, Vassar hit .345 (54-16-110).

After six straight matches on the road, Vassar will play its home opener on Friday, February 15 against Hunter at 7:00 p.m. at Kenyon Hall.

Sophomore Colin White-Dzuro, who had career-best 21 assists, fostered the Vassar offense. Senior John Konow added 18 assists.

Vassar broke free from a 10-10 tie in the first set and surged ahead 21-14 on the strength of kills from Pyne, Kriz, Donohue and Elgin. The set was only tied twice and it was Vassar's best hitting performance of the match at .423 (14-3-26). Hilbert couldn't close the gap, with Pyne earning Vassar's last three kills.

The second set was more competitive, tied five times, the last coming at 20-20 when Hilbert's Ryan Ratajczak connected on an attempt. With freshman Kadeem Nibbs serving, Vassar won the next two points, forcing the Hawks to call timeout. A Hilbert attack error gave Vassar a 23-20 lead and attacks by sophomore Artie Blissert and freshman Erik Halberg secured the 21-25 win and a 2-0 lead for Vassar.

In the third set, Vassar suffered its worst attack set of the match, resulting in a 25-13 Hilbert victory. The Brewers hit just .186 (12-6-33). and the Hawks had their best offensive set, hitting .619 (12-0-19). Vassar was down from the outset and Hilbert cruised.

Vassar rebounded nicely in the fourth set, which was a major reversal from the third. The Brewers hit .500 (14-2-24) and Hilbert dipped to -.158 (3-6-19). The serving of Donohue, Pyne and senior Christian La Du recorded four service aces and the Brewers dug seven balls in the set. Pyne had four of his 13 kills in this set, while Elgin and Kriz each had three kills. The Brewers led 13-4, then 19-5 and were never challenged.