HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 9, 2007) – Top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology and third-seeded Nazareth College advanced to the finals of the 2007 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball New York Regional Championship with impressive victories on Friday at the Canavan Arena in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks defeated No. 4 seed Skidmore College in three games, while the Golden Flyers rallied after losing the first game to knock off second-seeded SUNY Cortland.

Those two victories set the stage for an All-Empire 8 final in the regional tournament as Stevens and Nazareth will meet at 7:30 p.m. That match will be carried live at www.empire8.tv and www.pennatlantic.com. As has been the case with the other matches at this year's regional, there will be a viewer cap placed on the match. Saturday's limit is set at 100 users. The first 100 users to sign on to the stream once it goes live at 7:15 p.m. will be allowed the view the contest. The system will not allow additional access once the quota has been reached.

Stevens and Nazareth have met two times already this season. On September 1, the Ducks claimed a 3-0 victory at the SUNY Cortland Red Dragon Classic. Stevens won in three games during the first weekend of conference play on September 22 at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y.

Match 5 - #3 Nazareth College d. #2 SUNY Cortland, 3-1 (25-30, 30-25, 30-23, 32-30)
Junior outside hitter Laura Persico (Ravena, N.Y.) registered 21 kills and 16 digs as third-seeded Nazareth College upended No. 2 seed SUNY Cortland by the final score of 25-30, 30-25, 30-23, 32-30 in the semifinals of the regional championship.

Sophomore middle hitters Kate Reed (Horseheads, N.Y.) and Hillary Adam (LaFayette, N.Y.) had strong performances in the victory for the Golden Flyers (28-11). Reed posted 14 kills, four blocks and four services aces as Adam added three blocks and served up eight aces. Sophomore setter Kate Zwickel (Chester, N.Y.) led Nazareth in assists with a season-high 52. Sophomore libero Mallorie Clary (Baltimore, Md.) chipped in with 21 digs to secure the win.

The Red Dragons (32-11) were led by senior outside hitter Kelsey Muka (Lansing, N.Y.), who recorded 17 kills and 23 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Michelle Gaufman (Wantagh, N.Y) totaled 16 kills and 14 digs in the loss. Junior middle hitter Tiffany Chatman (Watertown, N.Y.) finished with eight kills and four blocks as junior setter Brittney Horton (Owego, N.Y.) recorded a match-high 42 assists.

Match 6 - #1 Stevens Institute of Technology d. #4 Skidmore College, 3-0 (30-22, 33-31, 30-27)
Junior outside hitter Melanie Volk posted 14 kills and 12 digs as 22nd-ranked and top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology defeated fourth-seeded Skidmore College in three games (30-22, 33-31, 30-27) to advance to the regional finals for the second year in a row. With the win, the Ducks improved to 35-4 overall and set a new school record for wins in a season. The previous mark of 34 wins was set last year when Stevens reached the quarterfinals of the national tournament.

Senior outside hitter Dawn Herring totaled 13 kills and 16 digs in the victory. The Ducks (35-4) received stellar performances from junior middle blockers Summer Hamilton and Jessica Gardner. Hamilton and Gardner each recorded eight kills. Gardner added seven blocks and a pair of aces. Junior setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode led in assists with 43.

The Thoroughbreds (30-10) were led by junior outside hitter Erica Duncan (San Francisco, Calif.), who totaled 15 kills and 15 digs. Freshman setter Becca Ormsby (Charlton, N.Y.) registered 31 assists. Junior outside hitter Murray Koch (Palo Alto, Calif.) amassed 10 kills and 16 digs. Sophomore libero Lauren Dinsdale (Harrington Park, N.J.) chipped in with 20 digs in the loss.