BRISTOL, R.I. – Freshman outside hitter Chris Bock (Orlando, Fla./University) had 11 kills, 10 digs and six services aces to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology men’s volleyball team to a 3-1 (30-10, 28-30, 30-14, 30-27) victory over Polytechnic University on Tuesday in a North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Metro Division match.
Stevens, which has won 10 of its last 12 matches, improves to 10-7 overall and 5-0 in the NECVA Metro. Polytechnic falls to 2-4 and 1-3.
Stevens jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead in game one behind the serving of junior setter Gerard Aro (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep). Senior middle hitter Scott Mooney (Glendora, Calif./Glendora) had five total blocks and Bock added three blocks during the key stretch as the Ducks took control at the net. Bock later served four straight aces as Stevens captured the opening game 30-10.
Polytechnic managed to steal the second game from the Stevens reserves. The Ducks held a 6-5 lead before the Poly freshman Michael Kelly served six straight points to give the Blue Jays the lead. Stevens committed three attack errors and a ball handling error that allowed Polytechnic to surge ahead.
The Ducks bounced back to take the third game, 30-14. Aro served seven straight points to open the game and Mooney later followed with six straight as Stevens held a 17-2 lead. The Ducks had 19 kills in the third game and hit an impressive .412.
Much like the second game, Poly kept the fourth game close, but Bock had a kill with the game tied at 22-22 and then served three straight points, including his sixth ace to help Stevens pull away.
Sophomore outside hitter Brian Woodworth (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep) had match-highs of 12 kills and 13 digs while playing just three games. Aro had 28 assists in three games while sophomore Alex Semidey (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) added 24 assists.
The Stevens men’s volleyball team returns to the Canavan Arena on Saturday, February 15, when it hosts a tri-match with Ramapo and Philadelphia Bible beginning at noon.
