HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 3, 2007) – Top-seeded and 24th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology advanced to the finals of the 2007 Empire 8 Women's Volleyball Championship with a 30-22, 30-28, 30-20 victory over fourth-seeded Ithaca College on Saturday afternoon at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks will take on the winner of the match between No. 2 seed Rochester Institute of Technology and No. 3 seed Nazareth College at 7 p.m. The winner of the Empire 8 Championship will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

After falling behind 9-5 in the first game, the Bombers (28-9) rallied to take a 16-12 lead. Following a timeout, the Ducks rattled off an 18-6 run to close out the first game. Junior middle blocker Summer Hamilton came up big for Stevens (32-4) as she totaled four kills in the Game 1.

The Ducks also started slowly in the second game as they fell behind Ithaca 14-8 before fighting back to knot the score at 18-all. Trailing 28-25, Stevens scored five unanswered points to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Junior outside hitter Melanie Volk got things started with the last of her five kills in the game. Senior right-side hitter JoAnne Pojuner added an important ace in the run. Hamilton closed out the game with a kill.

Senior outside hitter Dawn Herring led the way with six kills and seven digs in the third game as Stevens never trailed. With the game tied at 13-all, the Ducks put together a 17-7 run to close out the match. Herring finished things off with a kill following a set from junior setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode, who was honored as the 2007 Empire 8 Player of the Year before the contest.

Hamilton finished with nine kills and three blocks. Junior middle blocker Jessica Gardner totaled eight kills and four digs. Herring led with 13 kills and posted 22 digs, while freshman libero Julia Reilly amassed 18 digs.

The Ducks also received solid performances from Rhode and Volk. Rhode accumulated 41 assists, nine digs, four blocks and four kills. Volk finished with 10 kills and 14 digs in the victory.

The Bombers were led by senior outside hitter Amanda Hubbard (Horseheads, N.Y.) as she recorded 12 kills and 10 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Jen Herberton (Darien, Conn.) chipped in with eight kills. Sophomore setter Corinna Doctor (Skaneateles, N.Y.) ended up with 29 assists in the defeat.

Saturday's second semifinal match is scheduled to get underway at 2:30 p.m. That contest and the championship match will be carried live at http://www.empire8.tv