Upcoming Match Details
Match Summary: Stevens Women’s Volleyball
Montclair, N.J. – The Stevens Institute of Technology women’s volleyball team faced a challenging tri-match on Saturday, where they achieved a decisive victory over Hunter (25-16, 25-9, 25-11) but fell short against Montclair State in a closely contested five-set match (15-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-18, 14-16).
Victory Against Hunter
The Ducks started strong against Hunter, capitalizing on early momentum with crucial contributions from Ella Boland, Ella Kraver, and Molly Harris. They surged to a commanding lead early, notably pushing it to a ten-point advantage at 22-12, allowing them to secure the first set comfortably.
In the second set, the Ducks continued their dominance, leveraging multiple kills from Boland and effective serves from Kraver and Lisboa to extend their lead further. The Ducks concluded the set decisively, showcasing impressive teamwork and strategy.
The third set was marked by an unprecedented twelve-point scoring streak initiated by the Ducks, featuring four service aces from Kraver. After halting Hunter’s brief attempt to retaliate, Stevens completed a comprehensive sweep.
Key Statistics vs. Hunter
- The victory constituted the sixth sweep of the season for Stevens.
- Stevens achieved a remarkable hitting percentage of .400, surpassing their prior season high of .320.
- Alexa Brucculeri contributed significantly with 32 assists, marking her fourth match with over 30 assists.
- Kraver distinguished herself with a career-high six service aces.
- Lisboa continued her streak of strong serving, recording at least two aces in four consecutive matches.
Struggle Against Montclair State
In contrast, the match against Montclair State presented a tougher challenge. The Ducks started the first set slowly, falling behind by three points early. Despite some notable plays from O’Neal and Brucculeri, Montclair was able to maintain control.
Stevens bounced back in the second set, led by early kills from Bolduc and Boland, establishing a strong 13-7 lead, ultimately tying the match at one set apiece.
As the third set unfolded, the Ducks found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. Although they rallied to bring the score within striking distance at 21-20, Montclair secured the set with a strong final push.
The fourth set saw the Ducks rally once more, overcoming early errors to establish an 18-9 lead, forcing a decisive fifth set.
The final set was a nail-biter, with Stevens holding an 11-8 lead before Montclair fought back to tie the match at 12-12. Unfortunately for the Ducks, they could not seize victory, ultimately falling to a back-to-back attack error that sealed the match for Montclair.
Key Statistics vs. Montclair State
- Brucculeri set a career-best with 41 assists and 16 digs.
- O’Neal achieved a career-high of 17 kills paired with 13 digs for her second double-double of the season.
- Bolduc contributed 12 kills, marking her second highest of the season.
- Tarolli matched her career-high with nine kills during the match.
Looking Ahead
The Ducks are set to continue their campaign in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 PM, as they host FDU-Florham at Canavan Arena.
