HOBOKEN, N.J. (April 19, 2024) – The second-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology men's volleyball team recorded 22 blocks and held their opponent to a negative hitting percentage in all three sets, as they defeated Hiram College 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-15) Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament inside Canavan Arena. 

The 22 blocks were the second-most for the Ducks in a game this season, as they previously had 24 in a match against No. 12 Juniata back on January 27. Hiram hit -.114 for the match, which was the second worst any opponent has hit on the Ducks in a game this year. Hood hit -.333 back in their match on March 30.

With the win, Stevens advances to quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, where they will play No. 13 Juniata. The Ducks are 2-0 against Juniata this season, winning 3-1 in both matches. This also marks the third-straight season the Ducks have made the quarterfinal round.

Leading the Ducks in blocks was sophomore Tyler Hoke, who tallied six in the game. Graduate student Connor Feulner added four, while graduate students Nathan Lancia and Percy Bickford each added three.

Stevens hit .343 in the match, including hitting .412 in the first set. The Ducks totaled 29 kills on 67 swings with six errors.

With the win, the Ducks have won five-straight NCAA Tournament games dating back to last season when they earned the second championship in program history. Stevens is looking to become just the fourth school to win back-to-back championships in NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball history.

The Rundown

• Stevens wasted little time getting going in the match, as they scored seven of the first ten to take the early lead. Lancia had one kill while Feulner tallied an ace.
• Later up 15-8, Feulner and Bickford picked up back-to-back kills in part of a 3-0 run to go up 10.
• Lancia picked up an ace while junior Koby Sherman tallied a kill to put the Ducks up 24-10.
• Hoke and Bickford recorded a double block to close out the first set.
• Starting the second set, Stevens led 6-3 before Hiram went on a five-point streak to take a 8-6 lead. 
• Trailing 10-9, Stevens used a 9-0 lead to kill any momentum the Terriers had. Bickford had two kills on the run, while Hiram committed five attack errors.
• Junior Jesse Knuckles set up junior Brandon Rogers for the set winning kill as the Ducks led 2-0.
• Moving to the third set, Stevns maintained an early 10-6 lead on Hiram. Lancia and first-year Esteban Schmitt had kills for the Ducks, while junior Tyler Christensen picked up an ace.
• Leading just 11-8, Stevens used a crucial 4-0 to hinder the Terriers chances of picking up a set. Junior Sebastian Huyke had an ace on the run, while Rogers tallied a kill on an assist from Huyke.
• From there, Stevens rattled off 10 of the final 17 points to claim the sweep. It is the Ducks' 11th sweep in a row and their 22nd of the year.

Top Performers

• Lancia totaled seven kills and eight digs.
• Bickford tallied six kills on 11 swings.
• Huyke recorded seven digs and six assists.
• Graduate student Louden Moran had 16 assists, two blocks, and two digs.
• 16 Ducks saw action in the match.

For the Opponents

• Jackson Deubner had six kills and five digs.
• Matthew Albano tallied 12 assists, eight digs, and two aces.
• Kyle Martini recorded four kills, four digs, and two aces.

Around the NCAA Tournament

• No. 1 Southern Virginia 3, St. Joseph's Long Island 0
• No. 7 NYU 3, Baruch 0

• No. 5 Loras 3, Trine 2
• No. 4 Cal Lutheran 3, Dominican (IL.) 1

• No. 8 Vassar 3, No. 10 Nichols 1
• No. 3 Wentworth 3, Lancaster Bible 0

• No. 2 Stevens 3, Hiram 0
• No. 13 Springfield 2, No. 6 Juniata 3

Up Next

• No. 2 men's volleyball will take on No. 6 Juniata tomorrow in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament inside Canavan Arena. First serve is set for 6 p.m. Stevens will be looking to clinch their third-straight semifinal appearance with the win. Links for live stats and video will be posted to StevensDucks.com when available.