In a clash between the No. 3 Stevens Ducks and the top-ranked Springfield College, Stevens fell short despite their dedicated effort. On February 6, Springfield prevailed with a score of 3-0 in the opening match of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic. Despite the loss, the Ducks managed to keep toe-to-toe with the Pride for each of the three sets.
Especially on the first set, the Ducks took the lead with an 11-6 advantage. Sophomores Alex Olcott and Joshua Levandoske combined six kills during the spurt, but Springfield managed to pull even at 16 and take its lead at 17-16. A kill from junior Tyler Hoke led to a 20-19 score, but Springfield pulled through and closed at a 25-21.
On the second set, Springfield kept a consistent two-point lead, but a kill from Hoke and an attack error tied the set at 4 and 14, respectively. A point from first-year Bennett Heydorn led to a score of 24-21, saving the set point. Yet, a service error on the Duck’s half sealed the set point to the Pride once more.
The third and final set was tight, with ties breaking out at one, two, three, five, 10, and 11. Springfield led with 19-13, but the Ducks cut the margin in half with kills from Hoke and sophomore Ryan Schmid, and a tandem block. Another kill from Hoke and a point from first-year Cade Allen brought Stevens within three, but Springfield closed the entire game with a score of 25-20.
Despite their loss, the Ducks prevailed forward the next day with their match against Drew University. In their consolation game against Drew, the Ducks achieved victory with a set score of 3-1.
The first set was once again a tight game — ties breaking out at one, two, three, four, and six points. A kill from first-year Colin Holden off a set from first-year Quinn Bozarth trimmed the score eventually to 11-10, favoring the Rangers. However, they rolled off three straight points and forced Stevens into a timeout. A solo block from Holden kept the set alive, but a service error on the Ducks’ half sealed the opening point for the Rangers with a score of 16-25.
In the second set, the Ducks reeled off four straight points, including an ace from first-year Jacob Lobdell that forced Drew to a timeout. Kills from sophomore Esteban Schmitt andOlcott, and an ace from Olcott led Stevens to an 18-9 advantage. Back-to-back kills from first-year Colin Hughes then capped Stevens off with a 25-13 victory.
In the third set, Drew took the advantage and notched six of the first nine points, extending their advantage to 13-8. Schmitt stopped Drew’s momentum with a kill, followed by another kill and ace by junior Philip Bone. Lobdell brought the score to 18-17, but Drew brought the game to 24-22. Olcott and Lobdell clutched with kills that tied the score to 24-24, forcing extra points. Drew’s attack error gave Stevens the lead, and Schmitt finished a Bozarth set to secure another victory at 26-24.
On the fourth and final set of Saturday’s game, Stevens opened with a massive 9-3 lead. Drew started on a four-point momentum until a kill from Bone halted their run. Kills from Olcott and Schmitt lead the score to 22-16, with the Rangers closing in with another momentum of three points. Schmitt halted this momentum once more, and a Drew attack error handed Stevens the winning game.
Despite the split between this weekend’s games, the Ducks’ effort was undeniable. They kept consistent through every challenge and victory, and they played with unmatched determination. Their next game is scheduled to be away against Rutgers-Newark, 7 p.m. on February 17. There is no doubt that the Ducks will continue to bring forth their energy and drive.
