LANCASTER, Pa. (September 29, 2007) – Junior outside hitter Melanie Volk was dubbed the tournament MVP as the 23rd-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team defeated Moravian College, Richard Stockton College and Franklin and Marshall College in three games apiece. The Ducks are now 19-1 on the season as they conquered each of their past five opponents in three straight games.
In the morning match-up Stevens took down the Greyhounds of Moravian by the scores of 30-24, 30-15 and 30-25. Volk collected 13 kills and 11 digs while junior middle blocker Summer Hamilton added six kills. Junior setter/right-side hitter Melissa Rhode continued her stellar performance having posted a pair of triple-doubles on the day bringing her total to 10 for the season. Rhode recorded 11 kills, 16 assists, 11 digs and 3 blocks in the victory over the Greyhounds.
The Ducks received a strong performance from their freshmen core of libero Julia Reilly, setter Kaitlyn Taylor and right-side hitter Maggie Majcher. Reilly had 19 digs, while Taylor accumulated 21 assists and 15 digs as Majcher added four kills. Junior middle blocker Jessica Gardner finished with seven kills, four service aces, six digs and four blocks. Senior outside hitter Dawn Herring was named to the all-tournament team as she chipped in with nine kills and 12 digs.
In the second victory of the day (30-19, 30-24 and 30-22) between Stevens and the Ospreys of Richard Stockton, Volk posted a team-high 12 kills and 11 digs. Rhode amassed nine kills, 24 assists and seven digs, while Reilly chipped in with 10 digs. Taylor collected 21 assists and 12 digs as Majcher added six kills. Gardner and Herring registered seven kills each, while Gardner had three blocks and Herring tallied 10 digs. Junior middle blocker Bethany Rankie recorded three kills and a block, while Hamilton finished with seven kills.
The evening match-up between the Ducks and the Diplomats of Franklin and Marshall ended in a 30-12, 30-20 and 30-27 decision in favor of Stevens. Volk led the team in kills (14) having posted seven digs and three blocks. Rhode produced her second triple-double of the day with 11 kills, 21 assists and 10 digs. Gardner had six kills and three blocks in the victory, while Hamilton added five kills. Taylor finished with 17 assists as Rankie chipped in with three kills. Freshman setter Sara Budar had seven assists, while junior libero Amanda Petrocelli registered eight digs. Senior right-side hitter JoAnne Pojuner finished with a pair of kills.
Head Coach J.J. O'Connell mentioned that “our depth had a significant impact on the overall performance at the tournament. We were confident to go to our bench and allow rest when needed, resulting in successful team wins.”
Stevens will return to action on Wednesday as they host the Brewers of Vassar College at 6 p.m. in the Canavan Arena.
