AVON PARK, Fla. (March 16, 2008) – Junior outside hitter Joe Trinsey totaled 28 kills, 10 blocks and a pair of service aces to lead the eighth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team past No. 14 Medaille College and Warner Southern College on Day 1 of the Warner Southern Invitational in Avon Park, Fla. The Ducks defeated Medaille (30-25, 30-32, 30-21, 30-23) and Warner Southern (30-23, 28-30, 30-24, 30-26) both in four games.
In the win over the Mavericks, sophomore outside hitter Jonathan Landis posted 10 digs, four blocks and one ace. Junior middle hitter Andrew Cranford notched eight kills, five blocks and a pair of aces. Freshmen setters Brandt Grobeis and Aaron Ostrovsky combined for 51 assists as Grobeis tallied 12 and Ostrovsky dished out 39. Defensively, the Ducks were led by junior libero Michael Bertucci, who recorded nine digs.
In the loss, Medaille (13-10) was led by sophomore outside hitter Ryan Metz (Cheektowaga, N.Y.), who registered 13 kills and a block. Senior setter Drew Lewandowski (Kenmore, N.Y.) totaled 40 assists, while senior outside hitter Darek Przybyl (Lancaster, N.Y.) posted 11 digs.
In the nightcap match against the Royals, junior outside hitter Tomas Bochicchio had nine kills, nine digs and five blocks. Cranford had seven kills and a season-high 10 blocks. Ostrovsky and Grobeis totaled 34 assists as Ostrovsky amassed 19 and Grobeis connected on 15 assists. Bertucci finished the match with nine digs.
As a team the Ducks posted a .209 hitting percentage on 117 attempts with 45 kills and 21 errors. Stevens out blocked Warner Southern 22-7 and accumulated 34 digs in the win. Overall, the Ducks were able to out block, out attack and out dig the Royals.
Warner Southern (6-8) was led by junior outside hitter Matt Gizzi (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), who notched 20 kills. Junior outside hitter Shedrick Forbes (Nassau, Bahamas) tallied 16 kills in the loss.
The Ducks (14-10) will take on Fontbonne University and Endicott College in Day 2 of the invitational. Stevens will square off against the Griffins at 10 a.m. then play the Gulls, which is slotted for a 3 p.m. start.
