HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 2, 2022)  – Sophomore Cleo Shannon had nine kills and three blocks and first-year Vivian Lisboa had three kills and six blocks as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team defeated DeSales University 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-16) Wednesday night in a MAC Freedom semifinal matchup at Canavan Arena.

Junior Meg Dion served four aces and senior Ava Smithing recorded six kills with a pair of blocks for the Ducks, who won their fourth straight to move to 22-9. With the victory, the Ducks will be playing for the MAC Freedom Championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The victory pushed the Ducks to 5-0 all-time in MAC Freedom tournament matches.

Abby Weise finished with a match-high 12 kills and Austen Brewer added 10 for the Bulldogs, who fell to 18-14. DeSales alternated wins and losses over its final seven matches and has dropped each of the last three matchups with Stevens.

After Stevens won the first two sets, it was DeSales who jumped in front in the third on consecutive kills by Brewer. However, the Ducks roared back with eight unanswered points to take control of the frame. Shannon knocked down an overpass to begin the run and back-to-back blocks and a Dion ace closed it out.

With a comfortable lead, the Ducks kept DeSales at a comfortable margin, using a .324 hitting percentage (15-4-34) - easily the best hitting performance by either side - to close out the win. The Ducks reeled off five of the final six points to put a bow on the victory, with four different players registering at least one kill. Smithing and Shannon combined for seven kills on 10 swings with just a single error in the third set, while graduate student Kathleen Riegner dished out six assists

The Ducks took a decisive 2-0 lead in the match after scoring the final three points of the second set - two coming on kills by Smithing and junior Liz Patterson - after DeSales had rallied to tie the score at 22. The back-and-forth set featured seven ties, but the resilient Ducks didn't let the Bulldogs reclaim the lead after the guests held a slim advantage in the early portion of the set.

Inside the Numbers

• The Ducks held DeSales to a 0.93 hitting percentage for the match, marking the 14th time the Ducks have held an opponent under .100.
• Stevens increased its attack percentage in each set, culminating with the team's .324 number in the third set.
• Patterson led the team with 10 digs. The Midland Park, New Jersey native also led the team with 26 receptions without an error.
• Dion's four aces matched a career high.
• Each team had seven blocks.
• The Ducks had a 7-2 edge in aces. DeSales' two aces were tied for the second-lowest by a Stevens opponent this season.
• Lisboa's six rejections were one shy of a career high.
• Sophomore Bailey Axelrad finished with seven digs and is now 18 away from 600 for the season.

Unsung Hero

• Riegner filled the stat sheet with 17 assists, one kill, two aces and five digs.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Brianna Jones

• "I am so proud of us for finding a way to execute tonight to get the win!! It was a full team effort!"

Up Next

• Women's volleyball will host Arcadia in the MAC Freedom Championship at Canavan Arena on Nov. 5
• The Ducks defeated the Knights in five sets on Oct. 27 in the last meeting between the teams.
• Links for live stats and video will be posted to StevensDucks.com. 

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
#AllRise