Rachel Ostroff had 28 digs and two service aces as Stevens defeated New Paltz, 3-1.

HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 6, 2006) – Senior setter Micki Biltz (Lakewood, Ohio) poured in a match-high 51 assists to go along with 11 digs and five service aces as the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s volleyball team improved to 4-1 on the season with a 30-26, 30-23, 21-30, 30-22 victory over SUNY New Paltz on Wednesday evening in New Paltz, N.Y.  The win was the second in five days for the Ducks over the Hawks after the two teams squared off in the championship pool of the SUNY Cortland Red Dragon Classic on Saturday.

Sophomore middle blocker Summer Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.) had an excellent match for Stevens as she collected 13 kills with no attack errors in 24 total attempts (.542 hitting percentage).  Junior outside hitter Dawn Herring (Prince Frederick, Md.) added 14 kills, 11 digs and four service aces, while sophomore outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompson Station, Tenn.) chipped in with 11 kills, 17 digs and two blocks.

Meanwhile, sophomore setter/right-side Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, La.) posted 12 kills, 16 digs, four service aces and four blocks.  Senior outside hitter/libero Rachel Ostroff (North Miami, Fla.) finished with 28 digs and two service aces.  Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Gardner (Penfield, N.Y.) registered six kills and six blocks.

After opening the season with three straight victories, New Paltz has dropped three matches in a row to lower its overall record to 3-3.

Stevens returns to action on Friday with a pair of matches at the Ithaca College Tournament in Ithaca, N.Y.  The Ducks will take on Clarkson University at 5 p.m. and Ithaca at 7 p.m.