POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 26, 2014) – The Vassar College men's volleyball team, in their first action in two weeks, will take on No. 2 Springfield College at 3 p.m. and Division I Sacred Heart University at 7 p.m. on Saturday. After a season-long ten match road trip, the Brewers return to Kenyon Hall for the final five matches of their season.
 
Vassar College (8-18, 3-8 UVC)
(Vassar College Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Springfield College (18-7)  
Links: (Springfield Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Kenyon Hall (500)
Date: March 29, 2014
Time:  3 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Opponent: vs. Sacred Heart University (8-13, 2-7 EIVA)
Links: (Sacred Heart Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Kenyon Hall (500)
Date: March 29, 2014
Time:  7 p.m.
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)
 
A Look at the Pride (18-7)
No. 2 Springfield College has played a difficult schedule this season, facing off against ten ranked opponents, as well as three NAIA and one Division II foes.  The Pride has just three losses to Division III opponents, falling only to No. 6 Rivier College twice, as well as No. 3 SUNY New Paltz. Springfield comes to Poughkeepsie on a six-match winning streak, including two victories over No. 11 Baruch, and a 3-0 sweep of No. 5 MIT. The Pride is among the nation's leaders in many statistical categories; they are seventh in blocks per set (2.54), fourth in assists per set (11.68), fourth in aces per set (1.98), sixth in kills per set (12.39), and first in hitting percentage (.319).
 
The Pride has been very balanced this year, with six players averaging at least two kills per set. Sophomore outside hitter Luis Vega leads the way with 196 kills, hitting a solid .299. Junior outside Angel Perez is close behind with 170 kills. 2013 Second-Team All-American Jimmy O'Leary has 168 kills, and is hitting an astounding .516 on the season. O'Leary is also sixth in the nation in block, averaging 1.21 rejections per set. Junior setter Keaton Pieper leads the offense with 538 assists. Springfield's defense is anchored by senior libero Nick Ferry, who leads the team with 173 digs.
 
Projected Starting Lineup: OH – Luis Vega, OH- Angel Perez, MH – Jimmy O'Leary, MH – Sean Peterson, RS – Sean Zuvich, S – Keaton Pieper, L – Nick Ferry
 
Against Springfield All-Time
Vassar is 2-36 against Springfield all-time dating back to 1989. Vassar's last win came in 2002 in five sets. Springfield defeated Vassar in the Molten National Championship game in 2008. The last two meetings, Mar. 31, 2012 and Mar. 2, 2103, have been decided in five sets, with Springfield taking both matches.
 
A Look at the Pioneers (8-13, 2-7 EIVA)
Division I Sacred Heart has had an up-and-down season so far. Earlier in the season, the Pioneers defeated conference rivals NJIT and George Mason. However, more recently Sacred Heart lost three straight, including its rematches against NJIT and George Mason. The Pioneers bounced back strong against the University of Puerto Rico, winning in three straight sets. Sacred Heart is set to face Rutgers-Newark University on Thursday and Harvard University on Friday night as well this weekend. The Pioneers lead the EIVA in aces, averaging 1.61 per set; they also are ranked third nationally in aces per set.
 
The Pioneers seem to rely a lot on a trio of outsides on offense. Senior outside Brad Borsay leads the way with 201 kills, and is fifth in the EIVA with 3.30 kills per set. Junior Enzo Mackenzie and sophomore Austin Arcala are close behind, with 170 and 136 kills, respectively. Junior middle Raymond Satagaj has 98 kills, and also leads the team with 56 total blocks on the season. Sophomore Rj Uhlir has dished out 521 assists, good for fifth in the EIVA. Sophomore Libero Aj Logosh leads the defense with 144 digs, and is fifth in the conference in digs per set, averaging 2.32.
 
Projected Starting Lineup: OH – Brad Borsay, OH – Enzo Mackenzie, OH – Austin Arcala, MH – Sean Nelson, MH – Raymond Satagaj, S – Rj Uhlir, L – Aj Logosh
 
Against Sacred Heart All-Time
Vassar is 18-6 overall against Sacred Heart, dating back to 1989. Vassar won the first ten meetings between the teams. The last two meetings were in 2007, with Vassar winning in four sets on Mar. 2, and Sacred Heart returning the favor in four sets on Apr. 3.
 
Trey Trey All Day
Freshman Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) has stepped up big for the Brewers since day one. He added almost 100 digs in the past two weekends, bringing his season total to 281. He is currently ranking third in the UVC in digs per set.
 
Stepping Up Big
Freshman Nick Zarchen (Santa Monica, CA/Santa Monica) has played an important role throughout the season, stepping up defensively when the team has needed him most. He posted five digs against No. 1 Juniata and six digs and five aces against No. 5 MIT.
 
Consistent Kills
Sophomore Reno Kriz (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) senior Joe Pyne (Los Angeles, CA/Oakwood Secondary) have consistently been ranked in the UVC top ten in kills per set. Kriz is currently fourth in the conference with 3.71 kills per set and Pyne is seventh, averaging 3.48 kills per set.
 
Well Rounded
On the season, Vassar has had more assists, attempts and kills than their opponents, showing their strength in multiple facets of the game. 
 
Ace of Base
Vassar has been a consistent threat back at the serving line. On the season, they have 30 more aces than their opponents.
 
Up Next
The Brewers will take on NYU (14-9) next Thursday, April 3^rd in Kenyon Hall.