UTICA, NY (January 23, 2016) – Senior right side hitter Reno Kriz (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) became just the seventh player to each 1,000 kills for his Vassar College career Saturday, as the Brewers earned two more victories at the Wildcat Invitational, hosted by SUNY Poly.

The Brewers started the day with a strong win over No. 11 Kean University in three games with scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-16, while picking up another straight set victory over Wells College with wins of 25-16, 25-15 and 25-17. Vassar College moved to 4-0 on the season for the first time since the 2003 season, when Vassar went 18-5 and lost to Penn State University in the EIVA National Quarterfinals. 

Kriz became the first Vassar player to get to 1000 kills for his career since Evan Frederickson accomplished the feat. "I'm really happy with how the team played this weekend," said Kriz. "Against Kean, we were able to take advantage of their weaknesses and Zech did a great job of putting me and the rest of our hitters in positions to be successful. Overall, it was a great team effort, and I'm excited for the rest of the season."

Vassar 3, No. 11 Kean 0
The Brewers were efficient in the first match of the afternoon, thanks to some balanced attacking across the board against the Cougars. In addition to posting his 1,000^th kill on his ninth termination of the day, Kriz finished with 16 kills on 35 swings, while junior Christian Lizana (Dublin, PA/Pennridge) added eight finished on 18 attacks.

Freshman George Diehl (St. Louis, MO/Lindbergh) posted three blocks, an ace and four kills on nine attacks, and sophomore middle hitter Matthew Knigge (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) posted seven terminations, three aces and two rejections. Sophomore setter Zechariah lee (Santa Clarita, CA/Saugus) posted 36 assists, three blocks and libero Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) also added 16 digs in the victory.

Vassar 3, Wells 0
The Brewers finished the weekend unblemished with a straight set win over the Express of Wells College, as Vassar was never tested in the victory.

Knigge posted a kill on all seven attacks he had against the Express, adding two solo blocks and three assisted rejections, while Diehl led the Brewers with 11 kills on 16 attempts. Kriz posted 10 more terminations, and now has posted double-digit kills in all four matches in 2016. Cimorelli led the Brewers with nine digs, and Lee finished with 36 helpers in the win.

Junior Quinn Rutledge (Chesterfield, VA/Cosby) supplemented the offense on the outside with six kills and two digs, while sophomore Brian Manley (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) also posted five kills on his eight swings. Senior Erik Halberg (Newark, DE/Salesianum) also finished both of his attacks for the Brewers. Knigge was named as the Wildcat Invitational Co-MVP after totaling 40 kills, 11 blocks and a hitting percentage of .593.

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The Brewers will return to Poughkeepsie to open their home slate next Saturday at noon with a tri-match against No. 1 Springfield College and Ramapo College in Kenyon Hall.