HOBOKEN, N.J. (January 13, 2023)  – Senior Connor Feulner set down six kills on six swings to lead No. 4 Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball to a season-opening sweep of Marymount University (25-16, 25-18, 25-17) Friday in a non-conference matchup at Canavan Arena.

Sophomore Koby Sherman also finished with six kills and senior Nathan Lancia finished with four kills, a block and an assist for the Ducks, who won their season opener for the fourth time in the last five seasons. 

Devon Robinson had five kills to lead Marymount, who dropped to 0-1. The Ducks have won all seven matchups in the all-time series with Friday's sweep marking the first three-set win in the series since 2017.

Statistically, the Ducks hit .338 across the three sets, including an impressive .478 (13-2-23) in the third set. The Ducks increased their kill total in each set, while holding Marymount to a negative attack percentage in each of the first two sets, which resulted in a negative hitting percentage for the match. The Ducks held four opponents to a negative hitting percentage in 2022.

First-year Tyler Hoke registered the Ducks' first point of the season, setting down a pass from senior setter Louden Moran. A service error drew Stevens at two and sparked a run of six straight points - two coming via block - that put the Ducks in front for good. Marymount would close to within one, but the Ducks closed the opening set in style by scoring the final six points, capped off by an ace from Moran.

Stevens didn't allow Marymount to get comfortable in the second set, taking advantage of three errors to score the first four points of the frame and six of the first seven. The Saints would again pull within one, but a 7-2 run pushed the Ducks' lead back to a comfortable margin and the Ducks would score four of the final five points to close out the set.

The Ducks again jumped in front early in the final set with Hoke setting down another Moran pass and Sherman setting down a pass from sophomore Jesse Knuckles. The Ducks would score four of the first five points in the frame and never trail in completing the sweep. A 7-1 lead swelled the Ducks' advantage to 13-6 and another lengthy run pushed the Ducks across the 20-point plateau. Graduate student Colin Nikc fed Feulner for a kill to bring the Ducks to match point, but the Saints fought off five points before sophomore Hunter Schmidt knocked down a Nikc pass to close out the match.

The match marked the collegiate debuts for Hoke and fellow first-year Phillip Bone. The pair combined for eight kills and three blocks.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Ten different players had at least one kill for the Ducks. 
• Stevens finished with an edge in blocks (6-3) and aces (6-5). Senior Christopher Varseveld paced the Ducks with three blocks, while two Ducks each had two aces.
• Moran dished out 22 assists to lead all players. Junior Phu-Quy Ho ranked second on the team with four, while also matching Moran with four digs as the primary libero.
• Schmidt served up two aces for the third time in his career to match a career best.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Dan Buehring

• "Today was a great day to see our team's depth, work ethic and competitiveness on display. We work very hard to define roles for everyone and I believe we can expect a lot of contributions throughout this season across the roster. We look forward to the challenges ahead and I see 18 athletes ready to bring their best for those challenges."

 
Up Next

• The Ducks head to Patchogue, Long Island on Jan. 15 for a non-conference tri-match with St. Joseph's College and No. 9 St. John Fisher. 
• The matchup with the hosting Golden Eagles will be a rematch of last season's NCAA second-round matchup, while the Ducks and the Cardinals will be meeting for the first time since 2019.
• Video links for both matches and a live stats link for the tilt with St. Joseph's are posted to StevensDucks.com.

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