HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Senior outside hitter Brian Woodworth (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep) had a match-high 15 kills, but the Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (30-25, 30-21, 30-27) decision to Juniata College, the top-ranked team in Division III, on Friday night.
Juniata, the top-ranked team in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III coaches poll, improves to 4-5. All five of the Eagles' losses have come against Division I teams. Sixth-ranked Stevens, which had its six-match winning streak snapped, falls to 9-5. Four of the Ducks' five losses have come against teams ranked in the top 10 in Division III with one loss coming to a nationally ranked Division I foe (Pacific).
Stevens sophomore middle hitter Will Foley (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa), who finished with eight kills and just one error in 13 attempts (.538) tied the opening game at 23-23 with a kill. Juniata responded by scoring four of the next five points, two on kills by Glenn DeHaven, to forge a 27-24 lead. After a kill by Stevens sophomore Scott Stoner (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) pulled the Ducks within 27-25, Juniata scored three straight points to close out the opening game. Both teams hit well in the opening game. Stevens 18 kills with five errors in 33 attempts (.394) while Juniata recorded 17 kills with just three errors in 29 attempts (.483).
Juniata took control quickly in the second game. With the score knotted at 2-2, the Eagles scored seven of the next eight points to open up a 9-3 lead. Nathanael Ocasio had two kills and Juniata also took advantage of two Stevens attack errors. The Ducks got no closer than five points (15-10) in the second game. Stevens hit just .147 (15-10-34) while Juniata continued to convert efficiently with 16 kills and just three errors in 33 attempts (.394).
Juniata led by as many as 10 points in the third game (25-15) before Stevens charged back. A kill by Foley pulled the Ducks within 29-27, but a service error gave the Eagles the third game.
Stevens also received eight kills and a match-high eight digs from junior outside hitter Chris Bock (Empangeri, South Africa/University-Fla.). Stoner and junior Greg Higgins (Kenmore, N.Y./Kenmore West) recorded seven kills apiece. Freshman setter Steve Strollo (Nesconset, N.Y./Smithtown) had 39 assists.
Stevens is back in action on Saturday, February 12, when it hosts Endicott and New Jersey City University beginning at 4 p.m. in Walker Gymnasium.
