Greg Higgins had 10 kills, eight digs and four blocks for the Ducks.

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – Sophomore outside hitter Brian Woodworth (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep) recorded a match-high 18 kills to lead Stevens Institute of Technology to a 3-1 (27-30, 30-25, 30-25, 30-26) win over SUNY-New Paltz on Wednesday in a men’s volleyball match at Elting Gymnasium.

With the win, Stevens (27-8) extended its school-record winning streak to 15 matches.  The Ducks, ranked eighth in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III coaches poll, suffered their last loss on March 1 when they dropped a 3-1 decision to Ramapo.

Freshman outside hitter Chris Bock (Orlando, Fla./University) had 14 kills, four digs and two service aces.  Freshman middle hitter Greg Higgins (Kenmore, N.Y./Kenmore West) and freshman opposite David Byrne (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) also finished in double figures in kills with 10 apiece.  Higgins also had eight digs and four total blocks.  Junior setter Gerard Aro (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep) added 49 assists, an average of 12.25 per game.

In its first match since capturing the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) championship, Stevens was sluggish in dropping the first game, 30-27.  New Paltz was nearly flawless with 17 kills and just two errors in 33 attempts (.455).

The Ducks turned the tables in the match as they recorded 18 kills and just one error in 29 attempts (.586) in the second game.

Stevens returns to action on Friday, April 11, when it plays host Juniata in an 8 p.m. match in the first round of the Molten Invitational Championship – the equivalent of the Division III Final Four.