POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (March 8, 2016) – The No. 12 ranked Vassar College Brewers start a string of six straight non-conference games as they face off against the Baruch College Bearcats this Wednesday evening.  Action starts at 7pm in Kenyon Hall gymnasium.

Game Details
Opponent: vs. Baruch College (9-8, 8-1 CUNYAC)
Links:
(Vassar's Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
(Baruch Men's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Kenyon Hall 
Date: March 9, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

What To Look For
The Brewers success has been largely determined by whether or not their front line has been held in check.  In Vassar wins this season, their opponents have averaged 1.54 blocks/set; in losses they have averaged 3.3 well above the nation's best mark of 2.7.   The Bearcats, on the other hand, are averaging only 1.3 blocks/set.  If Vassar comes right at the Baruch's front line in Wednesday's game, they should not face much resistance.  Expect the powerful combination of Reno Kriz and Matthew Knigge to dominate.

A Look At The Bearcats (9-8, 8-1 CUNYAC)
Baruch have taken a step backwards this season, having graduated three starters after finishing the season at No. 10 in the nation last year.  They have still been able to take advantage of a very week CUNYAC conference this year, winning eight  of their ninth conference games in straight sets.  Coming into Wednesday's match, they are 0-6 against ranked opponents, though they managed to take 2 games off No. 6 Stevens Institute of Technology and No. 14 Hunter College.

Leading the way for the Bearcats on offense is sophomore Stephen Roach with 138 kills this season.  Vassar should also be wary of sophomore Jacob Rudin and senior Scott Standring.  Rudin's leads the team in hitting percentage with a stellar mark of .452, while Standring averages a service ace per set.

Against Baruch All-Time
The Brewers are 3-7 all-time against the Baruch Bearcats, and they have lost their last five of their last six meetings.  In last year's contest, Brady Ambro led the way for the Bearcats with 10 kills, as they took down Vassar in straight sets.

The Wall
Matthew Knigge continues to dominate at the net, now tied for 5^th in the nation in blocks/set with 1.15.  He is on pace to break Vassar's single season total block record by more than 17.

No Contest
Seven of the Brewers' 11 non-conference victories have come in straight sets, while the Brewers have only lost one match this year 3-0.

Nail Biters
Vassar has won both five set contests this season and have gone 4-4 in meetings lasting four sets.

Aces Wild
Led by Zechariah Lee's 25 service aces, the Brewers have a 109-76 overall advantage in the category.

One for the Record Books
This weekend, Reno Kriz passed Dave Paine and John Chasey to move into fourth place in school history with 1206 career kills.

Work Horses
Kriz, Knigge, Trey Cimorelli, and freshman George Diehl have combined to sit only seven sets so far this season.

Up Next
Vassar will finish up a short two-game home stand, facing off against Hunter College this Friday, March 11 at 7 p.m.