Melissa Rhode and the rest of the Ducks are one win away from their first-ever regional championship.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 10, 2006) – Second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology and fifth-seeded Washington and Lee University both advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship for the first time in program history as the Ducks and Generals earned thrilling victories during the semifinals of the New York Regional tournament on Friday at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J.  Stevens rallied after losing the first game to post a 3-1 win over third-seeded SUNY Cortland while Washington and Lee needed five games to oust top-seeded New York University.

Friday’s results set the stage for what should be an exciting regional championship match between the Ducks and Generals on Saturday.  First serve is slated for 7 p.m.  Fans can watch all the action live at www.duckcast.com.  The winner of Saturday’s contest will advance to the national quarterfinals, which will be held November 16-18 at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va.

Match #1 – Washington and Lee University d. New York University, 3-2 (25-30, 30-28, 30-19, 29-31, 15-13)

Washington and Lee University pulled off the upset of the tournament so far as the fifth-seeded Generals defeated top-seeded New York University in five games (25-30, 30-28, 30-19, 29-31, 15-13) to reach the finals of the New York Regional.  Sophomore middle blocker Kassie Bagley (Midlothian, Va.) was a force inside as she hit .346 with 13 kills and just four errors in 26 total attempts.  Sophomore outside hitter Laura Maurer (Sparta, N.J.) added to the offense with 11 kills to go along with 15 digs and three blocks.  Junior right-side hitter Jess Hudock (Tampa, Fla.) finished with 16 digs and 10 kills.  She hit .333 (10-2-24) in the match.  Senior defensive specialist Lauren Edmonson (Crystal Lake, Ill.) tallied a team-high 29 digs for the Generals (29-7).

NYU (33-7) was led by senior middle blocker Elena Drinka (San Antonio, Texas), who posted 23 kills, 14 digs and three blocks.  Drinka hit .340 (23-5-53) for the Violets, who entered the match ranked No. 18 in the nation in the latest CSTV/AVCA Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll.  The Violets also received a strong performance from senior middle blocker Natasha Boysaw (Moss Beach, Calif.), who had 10 kills.  Sophomore setter Caitlin Grundman (Verona, Wis.) added 41 assists in the loss.

Match #2 – Stevens Institute of Technology d. SUNY Cortland, 3-1 (22-30, 30-25, 30-16, 30-23)

After losing the first game by eight points, Stevens Institute of Technology righted the ship and captured the final three games of the match as the Ducks claimed a 22-30, 30-25, 30-16, 30-23 victory over SUNY Cortland.  With the win, Stevens advanced to the regional finals for the first time in team history and extended its school record for wins in a season to 33.

Sophomore setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) provided a huge spark for the Ducks (33-5) after they fell behind early.  Rhode finished with 15 digs, 12 kills and three total blocks.  Junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) added 16 kills and 14 digs for the Ducks (33-5).  Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Gardner (Penfield, N.Y.) rebounded from a slow start to finish with 10 digs, seven kills and six blocks.  Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) had a solid match with 10 kills.  Senior setter Micki Biltz (Lakewood, Ohio) finished with 42 assists, while senior outside hitter/libero Rachel Ostroff (North Miami, Fla.) posted 22 digs.

Cortland (29-13) was led by freshman outside hitter Michelle Gaufman (Wantagh, N.Y.), who collected nine digs, eight kills and two total blocks.  Junior outside hitter Kelsey Muka (Lansing, N.Y.) tallied 11 digs and seven kills.  Sophomore setter Brittney Horton (Oswego, N.Y.) chipped in with 27 assists.  Freshman libero Lindsay Snow (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) registered 24 digs.