CORTLAND, N.Y. (September 1, 2007) – Junior setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode recorded two triple-doubles as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team was crowned champions of the 2007 Red Dragon Classic held in Cortland, N.Y. In their first match of the day, Stevens defeated SUNY New Paltz in three games (30-14, 30-27, 30-28). Stevens finished out the tournament with a 30-20, 30-19, 31-29 victory against Nazareth College in the final championship round.

Rhode led the way in the win over New Paltz with 12 kills, 18 assists, and 19 digs. Junior outside hitter Melanie Volk recorded 12 kills and 13 digs, while senior outside hitter Dawn Herring posted six kills and 12 digs.

Stevens also received solid performances from freshmen Maggie Majcher, Kaitlyn Taylor and Sara Budar. Majcher, who is a right-side hitter, posted eight kills, while Taylor chipped in with nine assists. Budar added 10 assists as junior setter/libero Amanda Petrocelli accumulated 15 digs. Junior middle blocker Summer Hamilton totaled seven kills in the victory over New Paltz.

Herring had a strong showing against Nazareth in which she posted 11 kills and 14 digs. Rhode recorded her second triple-double of the day with 10 kills, 16 assists, and 12 digs. Junior middle blocker Jessica Gardner amassed 10 kills on 12 attempts to add to her three blocks. Key contributions from Volk (seven kills, six digs) and Budar (25 assists) help to sweep the Golden Flyers in three games. Hamilton posted six kills, four blocks, and 11 digs while Petrocelli added 16 digs in the win over Nazareth.

Herring and Gardner were named to the 2007 Red Dragon Classic all-tournament team while Rhode was voted this year's tournament MVP. Herring also recorded her 1,000 career dig last night against Swarthmore College and extended her total career digs to 1,032.

Stevens will play host on Wednesday, September 5 as the Ducks take on New Jersey City University in the Canavan Arena at 7 p.m. The match can be seen live on www.Empire8.tv.