New York, N.Y. – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches Saturday to close out play at the New York University Invitational.
The Ducks (3-3) fell 22-25, 25-20, 24-26, 25-17, 15-6 to Gallaudet University before dropping a three-set decision (25-9, 28-26, 25-16) to host NYU.
HOW IT HAPPENED (vs. Gallaudet)
Stevens opened strong against the Bison, using a 4-0 run midway through the first frame, sparked by a kill from
Vivian Lisboa, a block from
Sarah Bolduc and Lisboa, and an ace from
Ella Kraver to grab a 17-12 lead. Gallaudet battled back to even the score at 20, but the Ducks closed the opener with poise as Bolduc dropped in a clutch ace and Kraver sealed the 25-22 win with a kill off an
Alexa Brucculeri set.
In the second,
Molly Harris fueled a 5-0 run with two aces and a pair of assists to Kraver and Lisboa for kills, giving Stevens a 9-5 cushion. Bolduc later added a block and an ace to keep the lead at 19-15, but Gallaudet countered with a decisive 7-1 run down the stretch to pull away for a 25-20 victory and even the match.
The Ducks responded in the third with another fast start, as Kraver's serving keyed a 5-0 stretch for an early 7-2 advantage. Bolduc chipped in an ace during a 6-1 burst that widened the margin to 20-12, but the Bison mounted a furious rally and erased the deficit to tie the score at 24. Stevens regrouped in the clutch, however, as Kraver delivered back-to-back kills to close out the 26-24 victory and put the Ducks back in front.
Gallaudet answered in the fourth, weathering a quick 3-0 Stevens burst that featured a Bolduc ace and an
Eva Tarolli kill, before embarking on a 6-0 run that swung momentum. The Ducks tried to rally late, as Brucculeri served up an ace and Boland added a kill, but the Bison held firm to secure the frame 25-17 and force a deciding set.
In the fifth, Gallaudet seized control with a commanding 10-0 run to open the frame. Stevens broke through behind rookie
Alyssa O'Neal, who recorded her first collegiate kill, and later pieced together a small run with Kraver and Boland on the attack, but the early deficit proved too steep. The Bison closed out the match with a 15-6 win to complete the comeback.
HOW IT HAPPENED (vs. NYU)
In the opener, Stevens earned points through a Bolduc ace and kills from Tarolli, Boland, and
Mallory Eder, while Bolduc and Lisboa combined for a block at the net. Despite those highlights, the Ducks couldn't sustain momentum, and NYU pulled away for a 25-9 win.
The second set was much more competitive. Lisboa delivered a service ace and paired with Kraver for key kills, while O'Neal and Boland added points on the outside. Harris chipped in with a kill as the Ducks kept pace, and Boland led a late surge with three kills that tied the score at 24. Stevens even pushed ahead 26-25 on a Bolduc finish, but NYU answered with three straight points to edge the Ducks 28-26 and extend its lead.
The Ducks continued to battle in the third, with Lisboa and O'Neal each tallying early kills, and Tarolli and
Jenna Hathaway contributing at the net. Boland added two more kills, Schmieder notched a point of her own, and Bolduc and Lisboa combined for another block. Hathaway added a late finish, but NYU used a short run to close out the frame 25-16 and complete the sweep.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (vs. Gallaudet)
- Boland led the Ducks with 12 kills.
- Lisboa hit .368 (8-1-19) and added five blocks.
- Schmieder paced the defense with 17 digs.
- Bolduc contributed nine kills and 13 digs.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE (vs. NYU)
- Schmieder finished with a team-best nine digs.
- Hathaway hit .500 (4-0-8).
- Boland tallied a team-high seven kills.
UP NEXT
The Ducks open their home slate on Saturday, welcoming Tufts University and Drew University for a tri-match. Stevens plays Tufts at 11:30 a.m. and Drew at 4:30 p.m., with the other two teams meeting at 2 p.m.
