Hoboken, NJ – Freshman outside hitter Pablo Oliveira (Brazil/Newcomers) had a season high 20 kills with a .444 hitting percent in tough outing for the Hawks, who were handed their first loss of the season by the #7 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 3-0 (30-26, 30-27, 30-24) in the first round of the Stevens Invitational on Saturday, January 26 at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, NJ.

MIT was led by senior outside hitter Praveen Pamidimukkala (Edison, NJ/JP Stevens), who recorded 15 kills, four blocks and three aces. Junior middle hitter Scott Pollom (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) had 11 kills and totaled five blocks, while sophomore setter Philip Rogoz (Lincolnwood, IL/Loyola Academy) notched 39 assists.

Freshman outside hitter Wojciech Jakubiak (Poland/Grover Cleveland) finished with 11 kills and seven digs for the Hawks, while sophomore setter Zacarias Ripoll (Puerto Plata, D.R./John F. Kennedy) added 37 assists.

The Hawks (3-1) day continues at 8:00 p.m. when they take on #4 Carthage at 8:00 p.m. to conclude the first day of action at the Stevens Invitational.