Melanie Volk collected 27 kills and 40 digs to lead Stevens past Rochester and Lebanon Valley.

CORTLAND, N.Y. (September 1, 2006) – Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompson Station, Tenn.) totaled 27 kills and 40 digs as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s volleyball team opened its 2006 season with a pair of impressive victories over challenging foes during the Red Dragon Volleyball Classic at SUNY Cortland on Friday evening in Cortland, N.Y.  In their first match of the day, the Ducks claimed a 31-29, 30-27, 23-30, 30-26 win over the University of Rochester.  Stevens finished the night with a 30-24, 30-23, 26-30, 30-12 victory against Lebanon Valley College.

With the two victories, the Ducks (2-0) advanced to the Saturday’s championship pool where they will play the winner of Baptist Bible College and SUNY New Paltz at 3 p.m.  Stevens will also face Cortland at 5:30 p.m.

Sophomore setter/right-side Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) led the way in the win over Rochester (1-1) with 16 kills, 23 digs and four total blocks.  Volk added 13 kills and 14 digs in the victory as the Ducks knocked off a Yellow Jacket team that finished the 2005 season ranked No. 7 in the New York Region and one that claimed the ECAC Upstate championship as well.

Junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) had a strong showing against Rochester as she posted 12 kills and 17 digs.  Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) had 11 kills to go along with three blocks.  Senior setter Micki Biltz (Lakewood, Ohio) finished with a team-high 44 assists and added 13 digs.

In the match against Lebanon Valley (0-2), Volk accumulated 14 kills and 26 digs while Herring picked up nine kills and 13 digs.  Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Gardner (Penfield, N.Y.) chipped in with eight kills and six blocks.  Hamilton (seven kills, five blocks) and Biltz (37 assists, nine digs) were also key contributors for the Ducks.  The Flying Dutchwomen were ranked No. 6 in the Mid-Atlantic Region at the end of the 2005 campaign.

Cortland, which was ranked No. 3 in the New York Region at the end of 2005, reached the championship pool with 3-0 victories over Montclair State University, Skidmore College and SUNY Fredonia.  Baptist Bible and New Paltz were both 2-0 in pool play on Friday.  They will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday to decide which team advances to play Stevens in the championship pool.