Micki Biltz collected a total of 80 assists in matches against New Paltz and Cortland.

CORTLAND, N.Y. (September 2, 2006) – Sophomore setter/right-side Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) collected 17 kills and 19 digs, but it was not enough as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s volleyball team suffered a 3-1 loss (30-23, 26-30, 27-30, 26-30) to host SUNY Cortland in the finals of the championship pool at the Red Dragon Classic on Saturday in Cortland, N.Y.  Earlier in the day, the Ducks claimed a 30-17, 30-23, 30-20 victory over SUNY New Paltz.

Stevens wrapped up this weekend’s season-opening tournament with an overall record of 3-1 against four teams that were all regionally-ranked at the end of the 2005 campaign.

In the match against Cortland, senior setter Micki Biltz (Lakewood, Ohio) posted 40 assists and 13 digs, while junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) added 14 kills and 10 digs.  Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) finished with 10 kills.  Meanwhile, senior outside hitter/libero Rachel Ostroff (North Miami, Fla.) had a team-high 27 digs.  Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompson Station, Tenn.) collected six kills and 21 digs in the contest.

Against New Paltz, Stevens received solid performances from a number of players.  Biltz led the way with 40 assists.  Ostroff had 17 digs.  Herring registered a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs.  Volk added six kills and 18 digs in the victory.

In 2005, Cortland captured the State University of New York Athletic Conference title and advanced to the finals of the NCAA Regionals.  The Red Dragons finished the year ranked No. 3 in the New York Region.  New Paltz was fifth in the region at the end of last season.