HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 23, 2016) – The No. 6 Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team handled in-state rival New Jersey City University in straight sets Wednesday.

The 25-7, 25-22, 25-11 win moved the Ducks to 12-3, while the Gothic Knights fell to 8-8.

After NJCU got within 13-6 thanks to an unforced serving error, senior John Eddins served up six straight points, putting the Ducks in the driver's seat. A Sheldon Coure kill ended the Eddins run, but senior Tim Ferriter closed the set with five straight of his own, including a trio of aces to end the set. Stevens slugged .667 in the opening frame, to NJCU's -.231.

The Gothic Knights showed a little more fight in the second set, giving the Ducks all they had. Despite the Ducks taking a 5-1 lead, they were able to use a solo block by Ivan Prensa to cut the deficit to 10-7. Stevens would go onto record five of the next six to pull ahead. A Coure service error brought the Ducks to within two points of set point, but the visitors would score three straight. 

A kill by senior Chris Vaughan brought up set point, but a service error and a Daque Wilcox kill would prolong the set. Vaughan would hammer home an Eddins set to end the set and give the Ducks a 2-0 lead. The Gothic Knights outhit Stevens .273-.042 in the set, but were unable to capitalize.

The Ducks used an early 8-2 spurt to put the Gothic Knights away early. Sophomore Thomas Burrell put away a pair of kills during a mid-set rally and freshman Jacob Stillman used his powerful serve to nail an ace. Stevens closed the match out with a big solo block from senior Etan Bennett.

Stevens once again held the edge in aces, out acing NJCU 10-0. Ferriter and Eddins had three apiece, while Eddins dished out 20 assists. Vaughan carried the kills department, leading the way with seven.

Wilcox and Coure combined for 11 kills, while Erick Nascimento handed out 12 assists.

The Ducks will be back in action on Friday, hosting No. 3 Carthage College at 3 p.m. and Medaille College at 7 p.m.

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