1/16/2026
HOBOKEN, NJ – The Stevens Ducks made an emphatic statement on Thursday, sweeping a pair of matches at Canavan Arena to open their 2026 season with a perfect 2-0 record. Stevens dispatched St. Joseph’s (L.I.) 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-11) in the afternoon session before following with another dominant 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-12) victory over Drew in the evening match. The Ducks’ commanding performances showcased their depth, offensive firepower, and defensive prowess across both contests.
Stevens 3, St. Joseph’s (L.I.) 0
Stevens wasted no time establishing their dominance in the season opener, hitting an impressive .392 as a team while limiting St. Joseph’s to a -.080 efficiency. The Ducks’ balanced attack and relentless pressure proved too much for the Golden Eagles, who fell to 0-1 on the season. Alex Olcott delivered a spectacular performance, leading all players with 12 kills on a blistering .550 hitting percentage. The junior outside hitter added five digs and contributed 13.5 total points, consistently finding the floor against the St. Joseph’s defense. Olcott’s offensive efficiency set the tone for a Ducks attack that never relented.
Phillip Bone provided powerful support from the pin, hammering 10 kills on .333 hitting while adding four digs and a pair of block assists. Bone’s 12.0 total points reflected his ability to score in multiple phases, giving Stevens a dangerous one-two punch on the outside. Ryan Schmid showcased his versatility with nine kills on an efficient .412 hitting percentage, adding five digs and a block assist. The middle blocker’s ability to score both in transition and on quick sets kept St. Joseph’s blockers off balance throughout the match.
Setter Nick Schmidt orchestrated the balanced attack brilliantly, distributing 34 assists while contributing a block, a block assist, and two service aces. Schmidt’s court awareness allowed Stevens to exploit every defensive weakness, spreading the offense across multiple attackers. Esteban Schmitt made his presence felt at the net with four kills and five block assists, anchoring Stevens’ defensive efforts. Tyler Hoke added three kills, three block assists, and two service aces, while Dominic Ambrose provided steady back-row play with seven digs.
For St. Joseph’s, Declan Kerns led the offensive effort with six kills despite the challenging conditions. Logan Meyer contributed five kills off the bench, and setter Dominic Ruggiero distributed 14 assists while trying to keep the Golden Eagles competitive. Connor Ruais led the defensive effort with seven digs, but St. Joseph’s struggled to find offensive rhythm against Stevens’ aggressive blocking and serving.
The Ducks dominated at the net with 18 total blocks (2 solo, 16 assists) compared to St. Joseph’s five, and controlled the service line with four aces. The 112 fans in attendance witnessed Stevens hit an exceptional .524 in the third set to close out the match convincingly.
Stevens 3, Drew 0
Stevens showed no signs of fatigue in the nightcap, maintaining their dominant form against Drew. The Ducks hit .231 for the match while holding Drew to a -.092 efficiency, continuing the defensive excellence displayed in the opener.
Julius Stiemer emerged as the evening’s star, pounding 12 kills on an outstanding .500 hitting percentage. The sophomore middle blocker added five block assists, four digs, and two service aces, contributing a match-high 17.5 total points. Stiemer’s ability to score efficiently in the middle opened up opportunities for Stevens’ perimeter attackers. Bennett Heydorn led the serving assault with six aces while adding four kills and five digs. Heydorn’s aggressive serving disrupted Drew’s passing and created numerous free-ball opportunities for the Ducks offense, contributing 10.5 total points to the winning effort.
Joshua Levandoske provided consistent outside production with six kills on .250 hitting, adding a solo block, two block assists, and five digs. Greg Li made an impact from the middle with three kills and an impressive defensive performance that included two solo blocks and four block assists, totaling 7.0 points. Colin Holden showcased Stevens’ depth with five block assists in a strong defensive showing, while Cade Allen added a kill, a block, and a block assist. Setter Quinn Bozarth distributed 24 assists while contributing two service aces and five digs, demonstrating the same offensive balance that characterized the afternoon victory.
Drew received solid efforts from several players despite the loss. Matthew Adegbite led the Rangers with four kills and five digs, while Gio Martin added five kills. Setter Quinn Donahue distributed 17 assists and added four digs, but Drew struggled to overcome Stevens’ imposing net presence.
The Ducks’ blocking dominance continued in the evening match with 25 total blocks (6 solo, 19 assists) compared to Drew’s six. Stevens’ 11 service aces kept Drew’s offense scrambling throughout the match, with the Rangers committing 11 service errors trying to match the Ducks’ aggression.
Looking Ahead
The Ducks demonstrated remarkable consistency across both matches, hitting .392 and .231 while holding their opponents to -.080 and -.092 respectively. The 41-kill performance against St. Joseph’s and 28-kill showing against Drew highlighted the offensive versatility that makes Stevens dangerous.
The Ducks’ blocking prowess stands out as a defining characteristic of this early-season success. Combining for 43 total blocks across the two matches (4 solo, 35 assists), Stevens created a defensive wall that frustrated both opponents. The addition of 15 combined service aces further demonstrated the Ducks’ ability to apply pressure from multiple phases.
With balanced scoring, dominant net play, and aggressive serving, Stevens has established itself as a team to watch in Division III men’s volleyball. The depth demonstrated across both matches, with multiple players contributing double-digit point totals, suggests the Ducks possess the versatility to sustain success throughout the season.
As Stevens builds momentum with this impressive 2-0 start, the Division III volleyball community has taken notice of a Ducks team that combines offensive firepower with defensive excellence and the depth to compete at the highest level.