POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (February 13, 2008) – The fifth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team suffered its third five-game loss of the season as it fell to No. 7 Vassar College Wednesday night at Kenyon Hall in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. by the scores of 23-30, 30-27, 27-30, 30-24, 16-18 outcome. The Ducks fall to 6-4 on the season and 1-1 in North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Metro Division play.

As the match was tied two games apiece, the Brewers took control of Game 5 as they led 7-1 just before the switch. However, Stevens rallied back to pull within two points as the score read 10-12 in favor of Vassar. The Brewers answered right back as they jumped ahead 14-10, sitting on the verge of an upset. The Ducks did not back down as they tied the game at 14, 15, and 16. Finally, on its third try at match point, Vassar earned the hard-fought victory on a kill from senior outside hitter Tom Pawlowski (Havertown, Pa).

Stevens was led by junior outside hitter Tomas Bochicchio, who posted 18 kills, five blocks and a pair of service aces. Junior middle hitter Andrew Cranford (Bel Air, Md.) notched 17 kills and five blocks, while junior outside hitter Joe Trinsey recorded 13 kills, 12 digs and four total blocks.

Freshmen setters Brandt Grobeis and Aaron Ostrovsky combined for 63 assists, as Grobeis landed 32 and Ostrovsky dished out 31. Defensively for the Ducks, junior libero Michael Ozols notched 12 digs in the defeat.

For the Brewers, sophomore outside hitter Phil Tully (Huntington Station, N.Y.) led in kills by tying his career-best of 32 and added an ace and a block. Junior setter John Kessenich (John Kessenich) also posted a career-best with his 81 assists on the night.

The Ducks will head to Harrisonburg, Va. to play Eastern Mennonite University on Friday. The match is slotted for a 7:30 p.m. start.