HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 6, 2018)  – Junior Taleen Mitchell and classmate Shelby Stewart combined for 31 kills over two matches as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team swept both Houghton College (25-19, 25-13, 25-12) and Utica College (25-12, 25-7, 25-10) Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference tri-match at Canavan Arena.

Mitchell recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs, while adding four service aces in the first match of the day. Junior Sara Hain added nine kills, while Stewart chipped in an additional five.

Prior to the start of the Ducks' second match of the day, senior Brianna Perez was honored for her contributions to the women's volleyball program. Perez went on to dish out 15 assists, along with four digs, two kills, and one block as the Ducks defeated Utica, 3-0. The Ducks, who improved to 17-4 on the year, have not dropped a set in conference play en route to a 5-0 record.

Houghton's Amber Edwards led the Highlanders with 20 kills and 19 digs across two matches. Utica was paced by Hannah Voss who recorded 26 digs throughout the day. Houghton finished play 7-13 overall and 3-3 in Empire 8 play. The Pioneers fall to 3-14 on the season and 1-4 in the conference. Houghton topped Utica in four sets to round out play in the tri-match.

Volleys and Points (Houghton)

• The Highlanders took control of the first set, holding the lead 9-5.

• After a service error and ball handling error from Houghton and a kill from junior Sara Hain, the Ducks climbed back, making the score 9-8.

• After the Ducks committed a service error, they reclaimed themselves with two kills from freshman Terence Chan and a service ace from freshman Roxy Stirb.

• With the score tied at 11, Stevens went on a 4-0 run with back-to-back kills from Hain and Mitchell, a Highlanders attack error, and a service ace from sophomore Jillian Roumbanis.

• Stevens continued to distance themselves from Houghton after multiple attack errors from the Highlanders.

• Houghton took an early 4-1 lead to start the second set before a 5-0 run put Stevens on top, 6-4.

• Both teams alternated points before tying it up 13-13.

• The Ducks scored 12 unanswered points to close out the second set.

• Stevens started the third set with a 4-0 run before a kill from Amy Huddell put the Highlanders on the board.

• The Ducks would never relinquish their lead in the final set.

Match Point (Houghton)

• The Ducks closed the match on a kill from Mitchell.

Volleys and Points (Utica)

• Stevens began the opening set with back to back kill from Mitchell and Hain.

• A Ducks attack error followed by a kill from Meaghan Romaguera put the Pioneers on the board.

• The Pioneers weren't able to stop the Ducks offense as Stevens dished out 11 kills to close the set.

• Stevens started the third set by scoring five unanswered points that consisted of kills from Stewart, Chan and junior Kristen Edmiston.

• Back to back kills from Voss and Rosemarie Fesko ended to Ducks 5-0 run.

• Stevens began to pull away after multiple communication errors amongst the Pioneers.

Match Point (Utica)

• Stevens finished the match after a kill delivered by Hain.

Inside the Numbers (Houghton)

• Stevens outhit the Highlanders .326-.026.

• Freshman Elizabeth Chu recorded 15 digs, while Roumbanis chipped in with 14.

• The Ducks held the edge in kills, aces, blocks, assists, and kills.

• Stevens only committed seven errors throughout the three sets.

• The match saw 11 lead changes.

Inside the Numbers (Utica)

• The Ducks produced seven blocks against the Utica offense.

• Stewart recorded nine kills, two service aces, three blocks, and one dig in the match.

• As a result of the Stevens defense, the Pioneers were forced into a negative hitting percentage all three sets.

• Chu led all players with 14 digs.

• Utica registered only 14 kills throughout the three sets.

• Stevens finished the second set with a .393 hitting percentage and only three errors. The Ducks have hit .300 or better in six different matches, including both ends of the tri-match.

• Stewart finished the match with a whopping .617 hitting percentage and 13 points.

• The Ducks never trailed in the match.

Unsung Hero

• Freshman Terence Chan recorded 13 points across the two matches. Chan produced four kills against Houghton and eight kills against Utica.

Up Next

• Stevens will host conference opponent Sage on Wednesday at 6 PM.

• The Ducks have taken each of the the last two meetings between the teams.

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