NEW YORK, N.Y. (February 27, 2008) – Junior outside hitter John Dennan totaled 12 kills and registered a .429 hitting percentage on 21 attempts with three errors as the eighth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team fell to No. 6 New York University Wednesday night in New York, N.Y. The Violets won Games 1, 3 and 4 as the scores read 18-30, 30-19, 26-30, 25-30.
NYU (11-5) grabbed a one-game advantage as sophomore right-side hitter Eric Chakeen (Del Mar, Calif.) posted four kills and a pair of blocks. Middle blockers, senior Jonathan Wintermeyer (Atascadero, Calif.), junior Jordan Meisner (Trumbull, Conn.) and freshman Francis Hodgson (Surf City, N.J.) each tallied three kills apiece. For Stevens, junior outside hitter Tomas Bochicchio led with three kills.The Violets jumped ahead 17-9 off three service aces from Hodgson. NYU pulled away as their lead grew to ten points, squashing the hopes of a late comeback for the Ducks.
In Game 2, Stevens (9-9) came out firing as they took an early 13-6 lead off of three kills from Dennan. Junior middle hitter Andrew Cranford added a pair of kills and a service ace. The Ducks went on a 9-6 run as the score read 22-12. Dennan recorded three kills during the final eight points scored for Stevens, which allowed the Ducks to tie the match 1-1.
The third game featured a back and forth battle as each team swapped points till Stevens went ahead by two (19-17). With the score tied at 21-all, the Violets went on a 9-5 run off a pair of kills from both Wintermeyer and senior outside hitter Willy McFarland (Solana Beach, Calif.) to give NYU a 2-1 lead heading into Game 4.
Down 1-5 in the fourth game, the Ducks posted a 6-2 run to knot the game at 7-all. Two kills from junior outside hitter Devin Zolnowski (Bridgewater, N.J.) swung the momentum back in favor of NYU. Stevens would be unable to close on a five-point deficit as the Violets would win Game 4 30-25, and avenge a loss suffered during the Ducks season-opener on January 16.
Sophomore outside hitter Andrew Fessler had a solid day as he notched eight kills, seven digs and a pair of aces. Freshman setter Brandt Grobeis dished for 37 assists and added nine digs. Cranford ended the match having totaled six kills, three blocks and one ace. Bochicchio accumulated 11 kills and 10 digs in the defeat.
NYU was led by Zolnowski, who totaled 17 kills and eight digs. The Violets received solid performances from Hodgson and Chakeen who each tallied 11 kills apiece. Wintermeyer posted 13 kills and six total blocks, while McFarland recorded 12 kills. Junior setter Ilan Goldstein (Pacific Palisades, Calif.) connected for 57 assists and registered 12 digs and five blocks.
Stevens had 15 service errors on the day, while NYU amassed a total of 22. The Violets out blocked the Ducks 9-7.
On Saturday, Stevens will host Division I foe Harvard University, which is scheduled for a noon start.
