POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 20, 2014) – Vassar College embarks on a two-match road trip this weekend. The Brewers travel to Troy, NY for a non-conference match against The Sage Colleges, before returning to Boston, MA for a conference faceoff against Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Vassar is coming off an impressive 3-0 victory against Hunter College on Tuesday night, snapping VC's four-game losing streak.

Vassar College (3-8)
(Vassar College Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)

Game Details
Opponent: vs. The Sage Colleges (1-7)
Links: (The Sage Colleges Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Troy, NY
Facility:  Kahl Gym
Date: February 21, 2014
Time: 7 p.m.

Game Details
Opponent: vs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (9-2)
Links: (MIT Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Boston, MA
Facility:  DuPont Athletic Center
Date: February 22, 2014
Time: 3 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Stats)

What To Look For
The Brewers had their strongest all-around match of the season on Tuesday, which is a great sign, as Vassar faces several marquee opponents over the next two weekends. The Brewers were led by a big day from senior Joe Pyne (Los Angeles, CA/Oakwood Secondary), who had a season-high 18 kills and hit sterling .429. Vassar overall played very well offensively, averaging 15.67 kills per set and hitting a solid .362. The Brewers, a team known for its tenacious defense, had a solid defensive effort as well, out digging Hunter 38-25. Pyne again led Vassar with 13 digs, while freshman libero Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) contributed nine digs. At the net, sophomore middle hitter Erik Halberg (Newark, DE/Salesianum School) led the Brewers with a solo block and three assisted blocks, including the game-clincher at 27-26 in the third set.

A Look at the Gators (1-7)
The Sage Colleges has struggled slightly under first-year head coach Jimmy Pompeo so far this year. The Gators dropped their opener against SUNY IT 3-0 on Jan. 29^th. At the Keuka Invitational on Feb. 7-8^th, Sage fell in straight sets to Keuka College, Wells College, and Penn State-Altoona. The Gators also dropped their matches against Ramapo College, Kean University, and Mt. St. Vincent College, before picking up their first win against Purchase College on Wednesday, 3-0. Sage is currently third in the Skyline Conference in blocks, averaging 1.62 per set, and second in digs, with 11.48 per set.

Sage is led offensively by senior outside hitter Dylan Krowicki, who is currently sixth in the Skyline with 3.05 kills per set. The Gators seem to rely on Krowicki a lot, as he has almost 200 more attempts than anyone else. Senior setter Matthew DeGeyter has handed out 162 assists on the season, and is currently seventh in the Skyline with 6.24 helpers per set. The Gators, like Vassar, are known for their defense. Libero Cory Gransbury is currently first in Skyline with 3.76 digs per set, DeGeyter is ninth with 2.14 digs per set, and Krowicki is twelfth with 1.95 digs per set.

Projected Starting Lineups: OH – Dylan Krowicki, MH – Juan Polance, MH – Connor Thompson, OPP – Zach Sullivan, OPP – Justin Pruiksma, S – Matthew DeGeyter, L – Cory Gransbury.

Against Sage All-Time
The series with the Gators only dates back to 2010, and the two teams have only played twice before. Coming into Friday's match, the squads are tied 1-1 all time, with Vassar taking the first meeting 3-0 in 2010, while Sage triumphed in five sets in 2013.
 
A Look at the Engineers (9-2)
The No. 10 MIT Engineers are coming into the weekend 9-2 and are sitting 4-1 in conference matches. They are on a four match winning streak, earning victories over D'Youville (3-0), NYU (3-0), Wentworth Institute of Technology (3-2), and CCYN (3-0). Of the Engineers two losses, one came from Division 1, Harvard, and the other against defending Division 3 national runner-up, Nazareth. MIT is currently ranked third in the UVC.  The Engineers are very strong defensively. They are number one in the UVC in opponent hitting percentage with .116 per set and are second in the league in opponent's assists with 8.92 per set.
 
MIT has a very balanced offense. They have four hitters that have between 149 and 175 attempts and junior middle hitter, Brad Gross, is currently fourth in the UVC in hitting percentage. The Engineers run a 6-2 offense with senior setters Paul Syta and Evan Wang putting up 6.91 and 5.10 helpers per set.  The Engineer's strong defense is led by Brendan Chang who is first in the UVC in digs per set averaging 3.21. He has posted double digit digs in six matches so far this season, including 21 digs in a conference match against Elmira.
 
Projected Starting Lineups: OH – Chris Omahan, OH – Martin Krasuski, MH – Andrew Brusse, OPP – Alex Klein, MH – Bradley Gross, S – Paul Syta, S- Evan Wang, L – Brendan Chang.
 
Against MIT All-Time
Vassar enters the week 14-4 all-time against MIT. The first contest between the teams took place in 1989. Vassar has won 13 of the last 14 matches, having lost in 2010.
 
Pyne Fresh
Senior outside hitter Joe Pyne (Los Angeles, CA/Oakwood Academy) shone Tuesday against in a 3-0 victory against Hunter College. He chalked up a double-double of 18 kills and 13 digs.

Krizly Bear
Sophomore Reno Kriz (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) has been a steady force for the Brewers throughout the season. He is currently third in the conference in kills averaging 4.00 kills per set. Kriz added 14 kills against Hunter last week.
 
Down and Dirty
Freshman Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) tallied nine digs in 3-0 win against Hunter last week and now ranks 4^th in the UVC and 11^th nationally in digs with an average of 2.77 per set.
 
Passing A Helping Hand
Sophomore Colin White-Dzuro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Royal St. George) racked up 40 assists against Hunter last week for a season average of 8.58 assists per set. This puts the sophomore setter fifth in the conference in assists.

Up Next
The Brewers will head to New York City to play a conference match against No.13 NYU on Thursday, February 27^th.