MAHWAH, N.J. (April 18, 2009) – Senior middle hitter Andrew Cranford manufactured a .389 hitting percentage off of 9 kills on 18 swings as the second-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team fell in a hard-fought three-set battle to No. 1 Juniata College in the 2009 Molten Division III Volleyball Championship held at Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J. In the Ducks first trip to the finals of the Molten, Stevens fell by the scores of 30-26, 30-25 and 30-19. Stevens was limited to just eight team blocks and a service ace on the night; two areas that have led to the Ducks success up to this point. The seven seniors that walk away from tonight's match have much to be proud of having led the Ducks to a 26-7 overall mark and first-ever chance at a national title.
Having fell in the first set, Stevens fought back from a 14-11 deficit to post a 6-1 run and take its first lead in the game (17-15). It was the largest run the Ducks produced on the night. However, Juniata answered following a timeout to bring the set to a 18-18 deadlock. The Eagles went on to claim the set and take a 2-0 lead on the match as they closed out Game 2 off a 12-7 spurt.
Senior outside hitter Joe Trinsey led the squad in kills (11) and tallied four total blocks. Senior outside hitter Tomas Bochicchio finished with nine kills and a block, while senior middle hitter Doug Reger had four blocks in the loss. Sophomore setter Brandt Grobeis dished out 30 assists and notched three blocks. Sophomore outside hitter SteFan PremDas had five kills and led the squad defensively with seven digs. Stevens had a total of 16 service errors on the match.
Play-by-Play
Stevens Starters
OH – Tomas Bochicchio
OH – SteFan PremDas
S – Brandt Grobeis
L – Michael Ozols
DS – Michael Bertucci
MH – Andrew Cranford
Set 1
Juniata has jumped out to a 7-3 lead with some tough serving and tenacious defense. A blocking error by Reger brough the Eagles' lead to four (8-4). Juniata just served two into the net to give Stevens Point 4 and then Point 6 (10-6).
Stevens is having a tough time finding their swings hit the hardwood. Another service error by Juniata, which was followed up with a kill from PremDas (11-10 JUN). Cranford and Grobeis just roofed (block) an attacking attempt by the Eagles. Bochicchio just drilled a kill to tie it at 12.
Just out of nowhere, Juniata regained its three point advantage (16-13) as the Ducks take a timeout. The Eagles just blasted an overpass of Stevens to take a 18-13 lead. Bochicchio stopped the 2-0 run with a kill. PremDas just pounded a kill through a double attack of Juniata. Trisney dished a nice set for Cranford out of the middle (19-16).
A big solo block from Trinsey cut the deficit to two. There is no answer for Juniata right now as the Eagles go back up by four (21-17). Another Stevens service error. The Ducks are not doing a good job of getting the ball to Grobeis, their defense is suspect right now as well. Bochicchio just rolled his attack over the double block to bring Stevens within three (23-20).
Juniata still holding on to that four-point advantage (26-22). A huge solo block from Trinsey has gave Stevens back posession of the serve. Cranford just pounded one through the hardwood. Juniata is running its offense all over the court; the Ducks really dont know where the ball is coming from (29-24). A kill that went off the block of Stevens just ended Set 1 with Juniata coming out on top 30-26. Game ended with Ostrovsky coming in to serve. He did a fine job and had provided some scrappy defense to help put two more points up for the Ducks.
Set 2
Ducks come out to a 4-3 lead to see Juniata tie it at 5-5. There is definitely no lack of intensity on the Ducks side, they are more focused however this set, at least seem to be. Reger just roofed an attempt of Juniata (7-7). The Eagles went up by two however the Ducks came right back to knott it at 9-all.
A nice slide attack from Juniata has put the Eagles up 11-10. Service error on Juniata has tied it at 11-11. Back-to-back blocks by Juniata has allowed the squad to go up by two (13-11). Attacking error on Stevens has grown the Juniata lead to three (14-11) as the Ducks take a timeout.
Out of the timeout, Stevens has closed within one (15-14) off a 3-1 spurt. Ducks just tied it at 15-all off a block from Reger. Ducks take their first lead of the set off an attacking error by Juniata. Now Reger and Grobeis combined for a block to go up by two (17-15). Timeout Eagles. Since the timeout taken by Stevens, the Ducks posted a 6-1 run.
Juniata has battled back now as the score is 18-all. The Eagles just regained the lead off an attack that sailed just over the Stevens block attempt. Two consecutive kills has Juniata on top 20-18. After the teams traded points, Juniata is now up 22-19 with the Ducks taking a timeout. The Eagles registered a 7-2 run out of their last timeout.
Juniata is now up 25-22 as each team has been trading points on attacking errors that are going just long of the court. 26-23 as Juniata fired another service error. Stevens down 28-24 with Grobeis to serve. A stong kill by the Eagles has brought them within game point. A service error-giving Stevens another chance. Bochicchio just served it into the net as Juniata now has a two-set advantage on a 30-25 victory of Set 2.
Set 3
Another 10 minute break just elapsed. It has been confirmed, that at Molten there is a 10-minute break between Sets 2 and 3. So here the Ducks are trailing by two. It would be fit for Stevens to have to battle back from an 0-2 hole to claim a victory. The last two times these two squads squared off, Juniata has taken both Games 1 and 2 as Stevens clawed back to send it to a fifth game, having taken Sets 3 and 4. However, Stevens ended up falling in both matches in the final fifth set; both in extra play.
Juniata has taken an early 4-3 advantage. Trinsey is pretty fired up right now. Teams are trading pionts to tie it at 5-all, with Trinsey landing another kill. Juniata now up by two (8-6), good defense by the Eagles. The setter for Juniata is picking his hitters right now. Stevens is having a hard time getting a block in the face of an attacker. The Ducks burnt another timeout as they trail 10-6.
Cranford just buried a kill as Stevens still trails by four ,11-7. Again Cranford out of the middle from Grobeis for a kill. A long volley just went in favor of the Eagles (13-8). What is hurting Stevens is its inability to block the ball. Juniata is doing a much better job at that allowing for a clean pass to the setter and a powerful swing by their attackers. Stevens now behind on the set, 16-10.
Ducks take a timeout. A net violation by Stevens causes another point to be added in favor of Juniata. The Eagles setter just dumped the ball over to catch the Ducks back on their heels. Trinsey does not want his career to end in this set as he blasts a kill (20-13 JUN). A kill from Cranford out of the middle keeps Stevens within seven (21-14). The Eagles are doing everything right in this game; landed a service ace (25-14).
Cranford launched an ace but the Ducks still trail 27-16. Another service ace for the Eagles. Again, ace by Juniata - match point. Serve sailed way out. Double block by Stevens keeps the Ducks in it. Attacking error by Juniata, swing went wide. Bochicchio tried to save a bad set from PremDas but failed to do so as the Eagles of Juniata College are crowned this year's Molten Champions.
