NEWARK, N.J. (January 16, 2016) – The No. 2 Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team fell to No. 8 Rutgers University-Newark before topping the College of Mount Saint Vincent Saturday.

No. 8 Rutgers-Newark 3, No. 2 Stevens 0 (21-25, 22-25, 22-25)
The Ducks were out-hit in all three sets, however the visitors held a 5-3 edge in service aces and an 8-7 advantage in blocks. In the opening set the Ducks got within one point at 17-16 thanks to a double-block by junior Ian Bennett and senior Etan Bennett, but the Scarlet Raiders rolled off six of the next seven to bring up set point. The Ducks scored the next four before a kill ended the comeback.

Stevens never led in the second period, but were able to knot the frame at 20 courtesy of a double-stuff by sophomore Thomas Burrell and senior Chris Vaughan. RU-N came stormed back with four of the final five points to go up two sets. 

After Newark went ahead 14-13 in the third stanza, Stevens used a 5-1 spurt to grab an 18-15 edge. But the hosts came back to take over, and put the match away after a kill from Travis Mintzer.

Senior Tim Ferriter had 12 kills and five digs, while freshman Jacob Patterson handed out 25 assists and contributed eight digs in his collegiate debut. Burrell led the way with four total blocks, while Vaughan was second on the team with eight kills and three blocks. 

Jack Fredricks led Rutgers-Newark with 12 kills, with Kevin McCandless dishing out 32 assists.

No. 2 Stevens 3, College of Mount Saint Vincent 1 (25-10, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19)
The Ducks dominated the first set, holding the Dolphins to only 10 points. The Dolphins hit .063 in the match, including -.048 in the second set. The Ducks hit .571 in the opening stanza, and only had 15 attack errors during the match.

In the opening frame, the Ducks used an 11-1 spurt to break open the set, capped off by a service ace from junior Gabe Shankweiler. Stevens never trailed in the second stanza, and Shankweiler served four straight points after Mount Saint Vincent had gotten to within five to bring up set point Freshman Cooper Diamond slammed home a kill to end the second set and put the Ducks in the driver's seat.

After dropping the third set, the Ducks rallied from an early deficit to claim the match. The Dolphins cut the Stevens lead to 19-16, but freshman Dylan DeBoer capped off a 4-0 run with a service ace, and the Ducks never looked back.

Senior Scott Wright led the way with 10 kills, while junior Scott Russell handed out 41 assists. Shankweiler led the team with nine digs and three aces to go along with three assists.

The Ducks will be back in action next Saturday taking on Marymount College and Lancaster Bible in the home opener beginning at 11 a.m.

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