SUNY
IT | Medaille
UTICA, N.Y. - Stevenson University men's
volleyball sophomore Jason Matkowski (Warminster,
Pa./William Tennent) totaled 31 kills, 20 digs and seven
total blocks to lead the Mustangs to back-to-back wins over SUNY IT
and Medaille on Sunday in a tri-match at SUNY IT's Campus Center
Gymnasium.
Stevenson (13-6) earned a hard-fought 26-30, 30-22, 30-25,
17-30, 15-12 over Medaille after posting a 23-30, 30-20, 30-23,
30-20 win against SUNY IT.
The win over Medaille extended the winning streak to
six for the Mustangs who are now just two wins shy
of tying the school record for wins in a season set in 2006 and
2008.
It was also a monumental win for the program as the Mavericks
were ranked at No. 15 in the Bison/AVCA Division III Men's Coaches
Top 15 Poll on February 17. They just missed being ranked in
the most recent poll on February 24 after receiving 13 votes,
the most of any team not ranked in the top-15.
"The win over Medaille is probably the biggest win in the
seven-year history of our program," said head coach
Jeff Blake who has been with the Mustangs the last
four seasons. "They have been in and out of the top 15 in
Division III overall as well as in the top 10 in our league."
Medaille was also receiving votes in last week's NECVA Top-10
behind Baruch.
Matkowski was one of four players with double digit kills for
Stevenson as he had 15 to go along with six digs and three total
blocks. Junior David Lloyd (Germantown/Seneca
Valley) had a team-high 16 kills and six total blocks
while senior J.R. Jackson (Havre de Grace/Havre de
Grace) added 14 kills, three digs and four block assists.
The Mustangs also had a strong defensive performance against the
Mavericks (11-9) as they totaled 43 digs, led by 14 from senior
Ben Leatherman (Glen Arm/Calvert Hall).
Junior Steve Grossnickle (Perry Hall/Calvert
Hall) had nine kill, six digs and three blocks
assists with freshman Dean Massimini (Washington
Township, N.J./Washington Township) totaling 51 assists
and five digs.
Senior Ryan McDowell (Germantown/Seneca Valley)
had five kills and five total blocks.
Matkowski totaled his fifth double double of the season and
fourth in the last seven matches with 16 kills and 14 digs versus
SUNY IT. Jackson finished the day with 30 kills and 10 total blocks
after posting 16 and six against the Wildcats.
Lloyd had 11 kills against SUNY IT while Massimini had 52
assists.
Stevenson returns home to face Lees-McRae and Philadelphia
Biblical Saturday at Student Union Gymnasium. The Mustangs open the
day against Lees-McRae at 10:00 a.m.
