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PBU Topples Sixth Ranked Stevens
Box
Score
LANGHORNE, PA - There was a heavyweight bout in the Mason
Activity Center Wednesday night. Featuring a pair of top-10 teams,
the Crimson Eagles ultimately delivered the knockout punch against
visiting Stevens Institute of Technology, KO-ing the Ducks in three
straight frames, 25-21, 25-22, 25-23.
Despite getting outhit in total kills for the evening, PBU proved
to be more efficient in nearly all aspects of the contest. Stevens
shot themselves in the foot with 14 service errors against just a
solo ace for the evening while watching the Crimson Eagles rack up
advantages in hitting percentage (.204 to .140), total blocks (8.0
to 5.5) and digs (50-44).
Stevens jumped out of the gate hot during the opening stanza,
building up a 4-1 lead and later a 12-8 edge. But following a PBU
timeout, the host squad regrouped and forced the Ducks into three
straight errors to help spurn a 9-3 burst for the Crimson Eagles.
PBU would coast to the win with a comfortable cushion the rest of
the way.
Game two started out in similar fashion. After going down 14-10 in
the opening minutes, the Crimson Eagles went on an 8-4 tear over
the next 12 points, evening things at 18-apiece. Several Stevens
blunders down the stretch would aid PBU's cause as the visitors
closed out the game with four miscues over the last seven
points.
With 15 ties and/or lead changes during the final rally, things
remained neck-and-neck the entire set. However, 12 kills from the
host squad in the frame helped pave the way for a 25-23 win,
sealing the victory in the process.
Wednesday's triumph marks the second straight year PBU has swept
the Ducks as the group upset Stevens on the road during a similar
3-0 sweep a season ago. Senior Justin Brubaker paced PBU with 12
kills and eight digs and Noah Prickett added nine slams and 16
defensive stops.
Ranked 10th nationally, the Crimson Eagles will return to the
Mason Activity Center on Friday, taking on conference foe Stevenson
University at 7:00 pm.
