POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (February 10, 2016) – The No. 6 Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team knocked off No. 9 Vassar College in four sets in the United Volleyball Conference opener Wednesday.

The Ducks moved to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in UVC play, while the Brewers fell to 8-2, 0-1 in conference with the 25-23, 26-24, 18-25, 25-22 win.

After Stevens tied the opening set up at 20 thanks to a double-block from junior Gabe Shankweiler and senior Etan Bennett, Vassar took the next two markers, forcing Stevens into a timeout. The timeout worked, as the Ducks rolled off five of the final six tallies, ending with a double-stuff block from sophomore Thomas Burrell and senior Chris Vaughan.

The Ducks raced to a 10-7 lead in set two, before the hosts tallied three straight to knot the frame. Stevens would once again take a four point lead at 19-15, but Vassar scored five straight. After an ace by Bennett, Vassar would call a timeout and force a side-out. 

Vaughan and Burrell teamed up for a block for set point, but a Duck service error forced a 24 all tie. Shankweiler would slam home a kill and after a Vassar attack error, the Ducks went up two sets to none. Vassar would cut the set edge in half, taking set three by hitting .206 to the Stevens .071.

The Ducks were determined not to go into a fifth set, and quickly went ahead 8-4 thanks to a Vaughan service ace. Vassar's Brian Manley recorded an ace to cut the deficit to a single point, but Stevens would score three straight to keep the Brewers at bay. Shankweiler would end the match off a feed from junior Scott Russell to send the Ducks home a winner.

Burrell was a monster at the net, recording a career-high 12 block assists. Vaughan also recorded a career-best 18 digs to go along with 13 kills. Russell registered a double-double of 10 digs and dishing out 42 assists.

Reno Kriz led Vassar with 20 kills and two service aces, while Zechariah Lee handed out 37 assists with 19 digs.

The Ducks will be back in action Sunday, taking on No. 4 Nazareth College and No. 2 SUNY-New Paltz in a UVC tri-match.

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