ROCHESTER, N.Y. (September 23, 2007) – Junior middle blocker Summer Hamilton led the 23rd-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team to its 15th win of the season and a 4-0 start in its debut season of the Empire 8 conference. Hamilton reported a hitting percentage of .404 with 22 kills and seven blocks as Stevens defeated Hartwick College (30-24, 24-30, 30-22, 30-21) and Rochester Institute of Technology (30-23, 30-18, 30-17) in the third day of the opening weekend of the Empire 8 conference tournament in Rochester, N.Y.
In the morning match-up against the Hawks of Hartwick (7-9) junior setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode registered 14 kills, 20 assists, 12 digs and a pair of blocks. Senior outside hitter Dawn Herring collected 13 kills, 15 digs and two blocks, while freshman right-side hitter Maggie Majcher tallied eight kills and three assists. Junior middle blocker Jessica Gardner chipped in with seven kills, four service aces and two blocks in the victory.
In the afternoon match against the Tigers of RIT (14-3), Herring led the Ducks in kills with 14 and recorded 11 digs. Hamilton and Majcher each posted 9 kills as Hamilton added four blocks and Majcher with two. Rhode produced a team high 24 assists and accumulated 10 digs, four blocks and four kills. Junior outside hitter Melanie Volk amassed nine kills, six digs and a pair of blocks, while Gardner added eight kills and six blocks. The Ducks received solid performances from freshmen Kaitlyn Taylor and Julia Reilly. Taylor posted 20 assists and 11 digs, while Reilly finished with 14 digs.
Overall the Ducks executed their strategy effectively as they defeated the better teams in the Empire 8 conference. Head Coach J.J. O'Connell added, “We are very happy with the performance over the weekend that was showcased by our ladies. Having played well against the stronger teams in the Empire 8 conference illustrates our hard-work and determination paying off.”
The Ducks will return to action Friday, September 28 as they take on the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers University-Newark during their homecoming weekend at 7 p.m. in the Canavan Arena.
