SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Freshman Eric Palumbo compiled 20 kills while senior All-American Brandon Mueller added 17 to lead the third-ranked Springfield College past fifth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology, 3-1 (30-20, 30-28, 26-30, 30-15), in men’s volleyball action on Saturday night at Blake Arena.

Freshman Chris Shekell added a career-high 52 assists for Springfield (4-7), which capped off a nine-match home stand with the victory.

Stevens (12-6), which had won nine of its last 10 matches, received a team-high 11 kills each from junior outside hitter Greg Higgins (Kenmore, N.Y./Kenmore West) and sophomore middle bocker Will Foley (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa).

The Pride jumped on the Ducks early in game one, opening a 17-9 lead, powered by five kills on six swings from senior middle blocker Jacob Voorhies. After a Stevens timeout, the Pride extended its lead to 22-11, as Springfield cruised to the game-one, 30-20 victory.

Stevens bounced back, taking a five-point lead, 10-5, early in game two. However, Springfield stormed back with a 11-3 run, capped by a pair of service aces from senior middle blocker Ricky Albano. With the score knotted, 22-22, Springfield squeaked out the game-two victory, 30-28, thanks in part to three kill from Palumbo.

Game three was a back-and-forth contest, eventually leading to a tie score, 8-8, in the early going. Stevens jumped ahead, 11-8 after three straight Springfield attack errors.  The Ducks extended their lead to as many as five at 22-17, before holding off the Pride to take game three, 30-26, and remain alive in the match.

Springfield took control of game four in the early going, jumping out to a quick three-point lead, 5-2. The Pride lead ballooned to six, 13-7, before the Ducks took their first timeout. After the break, Springfield went on a 9-5 run, sparked by four service aces from senior middle blocker Matt Smith, which extended the Pride lead to 10 (22-12) en route to the 30-15 fourth-game clincher.