Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 28, 2012) – On the first day of the night Ducks Invitational at Canavan Arena on Friday evening, the Stevens Institute of Technology won both matches against NYU-Polytechnic and the United States Coast Guard Academy to improve to 6-11 on the season. Stevens swept NYU-Poly and then won a five-set marathon over Coast Guard to cap off the perfect day.

Match One: Stevens 3, NYU-Poly 0

In the three-set victory over the Blue Jays, 25-13, 25-13, 25-23, junior libero Hannah Gasper (Bourne, Mass.) recorded a match-high 16 digs to account for half of the team's digs in the game. Junior setter Samantha Gates (Wilmington, N.C.) handed out 19 assists, while freshman setter Catie Shelton (Central Square, N.Y.) chipped in 10 more helpers. Shelton also led the team with three service aces

Senior opposite hitter Maggie Kowalska (Edison, N.J.) paced the Ducks with seven kills and posted a .333 hitting percentage. Sophomore middle hitter Katie Hall (Midlothian, Va.) also hit at a .333 clip to go along with six kills and two blocks.
 
Freshman outside hitter Annemarie Thomas (Durham, N.C.) was the third Duck to hit over .300 in the match with six kills in 13 attempts and tallied four digs. Freshman outside hitter Kristen Herchenroder (Breezy Point, N.Y.) added five kills in the victory.

As a team, Stevens hit .296 with 32 kills in 71 attempts.

Match Two: Stevens 3, Coast Guard 2

Stevens went the distance with Coast Guard in the night cap, 25-23, 25-12, 24-26, 9-25, 15-13, to complete the sweep. Gasper once again paced the Ducks with 15 digs and was one of four players with double-digit digs.

Kowalska put together an all-around strong performance with 16 kills, nine digs, five blocks and two aces, while Gates led all players with 43 assists and added 13 digs.

Thomas and junior outside hitter Mary Caulson (West Islip, N.Y.) each registered 11 kills for the Ducks. Thomas hit for a .429 percentage and collected seven digs, while Causlon tallied 10 digs.

Senior middle hitter Jillian Barrett (Philadelphia, Pa.) posted eight kills, while sophomore defensive specialist Kirsten Salmins (Wyckoff, N.J.) controlled the back line with 14 digs.

Shelton rounded out her day with eight digs and two assists.

In the first two sets, Stevens hit .211 and .265, respectively, but would struggle in sets three and four, hitting only .095 and -.051 in the two set losses.

The Ducks will be back on the court tomorrow at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. against Baruch College and Empire 8 Conference rival Elmira College to finish up the Invitational.