HOBOKEN, NJ — SUNY New Paltz stood even with sixth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology after two games, but the Hawks dropped the next two including a 32-30 decision in the fourth to fall 3-1 to the Ducks this evening.
SUNY New Paltz led 14-13 in the opening game but five straight errors by the Hawks helped Stevens Tech (26-2, 10-0) build an 18-14 advantage. SUNY New Paltz, who hit just .136 in the match, was unable to pull any closer than three the rest of the way and lost the game 30-26.
In game two, the Hawks shook off an early 5-2 deficit behind the play of senior middle blocker Rob Dietrich (San Jose, CA) and junior outside hitter Mike LaRocco (Hauppauge, NY) to take a commanding 25-16 lead. SUNY New Paltz hit .300 for the game and cruised to a 30-22 win to even the match at one.
Sophomore outside hitter Chris Bock (Orlando, FL) asserted himself in game three with eight of his 19 kills coming in the third to help the Ducks prevail 30-25.
Neither team led by more than two points in a fourth game that featured 23 ties. Stevens took a 28-27 lead on a kill by junior outside hitter Brian Woodworth (San Jose, CA) but New Paltz received consecutive kills by LaRocco to reclaim the lead, 29-28. The Ducks fought off two game points on kills by sophomore middle hitter Greg Higgins (Kenmore, NY) and Bock who knotted the match at 30 each. Higgins then went on to serve the next two points to give the Ducks the victory.
Junior outside hitter Chris Ganje (Halfmoon, NY) had a match-high 22 kills for the Hawks. Dietrich recorded 10 kills and four block assists while LaRocco added 19 kills and 10 digs for SUNY New Paltz who has now dropped four of its last five matches to fall to 10-6 overall and 4-3 in the NECVA Metro Division.
