Melanie Volk had 13 kills, seven blocks and six digs in the loss to No. 8 NYU.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 13, 2006) – Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompson Station, Tenn.) registered 13 kills, seven blocks and six digs, but her effort was not enough as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s volleyball team suffered a 30-27, 30-24, 30-23 loss to eighth-ranked New York University on Wednesday evening at Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J.  This marked the second time in five days that the Ducks fell to the Violets as the two teams just squared off in the 2006 Bomber Invitational at Ithaca College on Saturday.

Sophomore setter/right-side Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) finished with 23 assists and 10 digs.  Junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) posted a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.  Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) chipped in with nine kills and three blocks.

After falling behind 27-17 in the first game, Stevens (7-3) scored seven straight points on Herring’s serve to pull within 27-24.  The Ducks got as close as two points at 29-27 before the Violets closed out the game.  In the second game, Stevens trailed 28-13 then rallied to within five points at 29-24.  The third game followed a similar pattern as the Ducks fell behind early once again.  With the score 20-19 in favor of NYU (7-2), the Violets scored four straight points to take control of the game and finish off the match.

Stevens will return to action on Saturday when it host Maritime College at 10 a.m. and SUNY Old Westbury at 2 p.m.