POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (February 19, 2018) – After splitting results over the weekend, the No. 12 Vassar College men's volleyball team travels to Springfield, MA to take on top-ranked Springfield College.

Game Details 
Opponent: Springfield College (13-1)
Links: (Springfield Homepage)(Schedule)(Roster)(Statistics)
Site: Springfield, Massachusetts
Facility: Blake Arena
Date: February 21, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM
Live Coverage:(Live Stats)

Last Time Out: The Brewers faced a tough two-match away series in Hoboken, NJ, taking on 7 ranked NYU and No. 2 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The weekend started off well for Vassar, ending the first day with a decisive 3-1 victory. Steered by sophomore Kevin Ros (13 kills) and senior Matthew Knigge (13 kills, 7 blocks, 1 ace), the Brewers weathered the Violets' 2^nd set surge to finish the match leading in nearly every statistical category and bringing their UVC tally to 3-0.
 
However this untarnished record wouldn't't last. Sunday's game against 2^nd ranked Stevens saw the Brewers falter in three close sets. Once more, the team was led by senior Matt Knigge and sophomore Kevin Ross whom combined for a total of 31 kills and 10 blocks over the course of the three set match. Senior Zechariah Lee assisted a majority of these, dishing out 36 helpers during the game.
 
A Look At The Brewers (9-4, 3-1 UVC):

• Vassar is currently ranked No. 12 nationally and third in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC), behind Elmira College and Stevens.
• Following the weekend, the Brewers continue to be an offensive heavyweight averaging 12.10 kills per set, which ranks 14^th nationally and third in the UVC, as well as maintaining a season hitting percentage of .274, ninth best in Division III and fourth best in the UVC.
• So far this season, Vassar ranks 11^th in Division III and first in the UVC in aces per set, posting 2.06 per set.
• On the defensive side of things, the team's 2.53 blocks per set ranks third in Division III and first in the UVC. As a result of their wall-like arms, the Brewers have held their opponents to an average hitting percentage of .103, ninth best in Division III.
• Senior Matthew Knigge is third nationally and first in the UVC in points per set with 5.16, as well as second in the UVC in kills per set, with 3.89. Throughout his time at Vassar, Knigge has struck down enough kills to become the current leader in career hitting percentage (.429) in DIII.
• Knigge also ranks 1^st in career blocks per set the country, while teammate Zechariah Lee is tied for the 4^th place spot.
• Senior setter Zechariah Lee is also 15^th in the nation as well as 4^th in the UVC in assists per set with 9.64. He currently leads the league in service aces, with 28 under his belt, averaging 0.64 per set.
• Sophomore Kevin Ros sits second on the team in kills per set, averaging 2.50, and third in service aces; his 15 on the season comes just behind Knigge's 18 and Lee's 24.
• Freshman libero Garth Verdeflor leads the team in digs per set, averaging 2.04 over the 45 sets he has appeared in this season.
• Junior George Diehl has ranks third on the team in kills (84).

 
A Look At The Pride (13-1)

• The Pride are riding a phenomenal 13 game win streak coming into Wednesday's match after defeating St. Joseph's (LI) and UVC member Wentworth College 3-0.
• Their offensive prowess is undeniable, as they lead the nation in hitting percentage (.357) and rank eight nationally in kills per set and as well as fourth in the nation in match win-loss percentage (.917).
• Springfield is led by senior Sergio Figueroa Velez who is averaging 3.08 kills per set for a total of 120 kills. He also ranks 24^th in the nation in aces per set (.62)
• Fellow senior Ricardo Padilla Ayala is second on the team in kills (91) and trails Velez closely in aces per set with .580.
• Defensively the Pride are solid, relinquishing only 5 of their last 52 sets.
• Junior middle Kyle Jasuta has been a major contributor to their defensive capabilities, rejecting 38 attempts for an average of .84 blocks per set.
• Senior middle Joseth Irizarray Feliciano trails him with 32 blocks for an average of .71 blocks per set.

Against Springfield all time: The Brewers are 2-43 against Springfield with Vassar's last victory on March 9, 2002.

Up Next: The Brewers return home after a three-week road trip to take on Elms College here at Kenyon Hall on Tuesday February 27 at 7pm.