Micki Biltz was named to the all-tournament team as Stevens finished in second place at the Skidmore Classic. |
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (October 21, 2006) – Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompson Station, Tenn.) and senior setter Micki Biltz (Lakewood, Ohio) were named to the all-tournament team while leading the Stevens Institute of Technology to a second-place finish at the Skidmore College Classic in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Following two victories in pool play on Friday, the Ducks split a pair of matches on Saturday.
Stevens opened the day with a 30-27, 30-17, 30-22 victory over Russell Sage College as junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) tallied 16 kills and nine digs. Volk finished with 11 kills. Biltz had 40 assists and 15 digs, while senior outside hitter/libero Rachel Ostroff (North Miami, Fla.) contributed 21 digs and seven service aces. Sophomore middle blocker Bethany Rankie (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) added eight kills and three blocks.
In the championship match, the Ducks suffered a tough 3-2 loss to host Skidmore (18-10). Stevens won the first game 30-18 then dropped the next two games (26-30, 22-30). Trailing 28-24 in the fourth game, the Ducks rallied for a 32-30 win. Tied 3-3 in the fifth and decisive game, the Thoroughbreds scored six straight points en route to a 15-5 victory.
Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) led the way with 16 kills and two blocks. Sophomore setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) finished with a triple-double (13 kills, 16 digs and 13 assists). Volk added 13 kills and 24 digs. Herring posted 12 kills and 24 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Jessica Gardner (Penfield, N.Y.) totaled 10 kills and two block assists. Biltz registered 46 assists. Ostroff chipped in with 22 digs.
The loss to Skidmore snapped a seven-match win streak for the Ducks. Despite the setback, Stevens has won 17 of 19 matches to run its record to 24-5 on the year.
On Wednesday, the Ducks will travel to Hackettstown, N.J. for a Skyline Conference match against Centenary College. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
