HOBOKEN, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Defending NCAA Division III champion and current No. 6 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology had an 80 percent sideout rate and swept a cross-Hudson County non-conference matchup from the New Jersey City University men's volleyball team, 3-0 (25-7, 25-22, 25-11) on February 24 at Canavan Arena.
 
The Ducks (12-3), ranked No. 6 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, won their fourth in a row. NJCU (8-8) lost for the fourth time in its last five matches after a strong start to the season. Five of NJCU's eight losses have come against nationally ranked opponents—#3 Rutgers-Newark, then #14 Wentworth, then #14 Hunter, #1 Springfield and #6 Stevens—with at least two more ranked clubs still on the schedule, including tomorrow night versus No. 12 NYU.  
 
Stevens hit .322 for the match (27-8-59) and had 9.5 blocks. The Ducks hit a powerful .600 in game one with 10 kills (10-1-15) while siding out at an 87 percent rate (7-8). After a lackluster second set, the hosts capped the match with a .450 attack in the third game, with nine kills in 20 swings (no errors). Meanwhile, Stevens was a perfect 12-for-12 on sideout opportunities in the set.
 
Eight different players had a kill for Stevens. Jordan Stuart contributed five blocks. Setter John Eddins stuffed three blocks (two solo) with three kills in as many swings while dishing 20 assists and four service aces. Gabe Shankweiler hit .400 with five kills (5-1-10). Chris Vaughn tallied six kills and three blocks.
 
NJCU had 19 kills as a squad but 17 attack errors, hitting .036. Senior middle Ivan Prensa (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) was the Knights' top performer with three blocks (two solo) and three kills. Senior outside hitters Sheldon Coure (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union) and Daque Wilcox (Fredericksburg, VA/Camden County Tech, NJ) combined for 10 kills but were mostly held in check by the Stevens blocking effort.
 
The Ducks led wire-to-wire in the first and third sets. Leading 12-6 in game one, the Ducks scored 13 of the final 14 points in the period. NJCU rallied late in game two to pull with two (24-22) before a kill by Vaughn prevented the match from being extended. A 7-1 run closed the third set.
 
#KnightNotes

• 43rd meeting. Stevens leads the all-time series, 29-14 and has won 27 consecutive in the series since February, 1998.

 
#NextKnightTime:
No. 12 ranked New York University is next on the schedule on Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court). It will begin a five-match homestand for NJCU. The Violets are 6-6 overall but 3-1 in the difficult United Volleyball Conference (UVC) and all six losses are to Division II schools or nationally-ranked Division III opponents or those receiving votes. It will be the seventh meeting between the schools. NYU leads the all-time series, 5-1, and has won the last five meetings, including a 3-1 decision (25-16, 24-26, 25-15, 25-22) last season on March 31, 2015 in New York City.