AVON PARK, Fla. (March 16, 2008) – Junior outside hitter Joe Trinsey totaled 28 kills, 10 blocks and three service aces as the eighth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team added to its recent success with two more victories during Day 2 of the Warner Southern Invitational in Avon Park, Fla. The Ducks defeated Fontbonne University (30-14, 30-22, 30-12) and Endicott College (30-26, 30-18, 22-30, 23-30, 15-9) as they improve to 16-10 on the season.
In the win over the Griffins (2-14), Trinsey led the team in kills (12) and posted three blocks and one ace. Sophomore outside hitter Tomas Bochicchio notched six kills and four blocks, while sophomore outside hitter Andrew Fessler recorded five kills and a block. Freshman setter Aaron Ostrovsky dished out 21 assists. Defensively for the Ducks, junior libero Michael Bertucci chipped in with 11 digs.
Fontbonne was led by senior outside hitter Dan Koehler (Saint Louis, Mo.), who totaled 8 kills, nine digs and a block. Sophomore setter Kenny Buergler (Saint Louis, Mo.) connected on 17 assists in the loss.
In the afternoon match, the Ducks jumped ahead two games to none. They had some difficulty executing in Games 3 and 4 as they dropped both to knot the match a two games apiece. Down 2-4 in the fifth, Stevens battled back to lead 8-7 before the switch. The Ducks were 0-5 on the season in matches that were decided in five games. However today they broke that losing streak with their 15-9 defeat of the Gulls in the final game.
Stevens was led once again by Trinsey, who registered 16 kills, seven blocks and a pair of aces. Junior outside hitter John Dennan tallied 14 kills and three blocks, while junior middle hitter Andrew Cranford had a solid showing with his 13 kills and 10 total blocks. Freshman setters Brandt Grobeis and Ostrovsky combined for 64 assists during the match. Grobeis finished with 28 as Ostrovsky had 36 assists in the victory. Bertucci once again led in digs, this time having posted 15.
The Gulls (14-12) were led by sophomore middle blocker A.J. Witkofsky (Scotia, N.Y.), who notched 20 kills and six blocks. Sophomore setter Ben Foster (Penfield, N.Y.) dished out 50 assists, while junior outside hitter Dan Coleman (Millis, Mass.) added 15 digs in the loss.
The Ducks will return to action on Monday when they face No. 7 Carthage College at 10 a.m. in the final day of the Warner Southern Invitational in Avon Park, Fla.
* Box score to follow
