ITHACA, N.Y. (October 25, 2008) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team continued conference play as it headed to Ithaca, N.Y. to compete in the final weekend of league action on Saturday. The Ducks took down the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College (25-23, 25-11, 25-14) in their first match then upended the Saxons of Alfred (25-7, 25-13, 28-26) to stay unbeaten in league action. With the pair of victories, Stevens improves to 24-4 overall and 6-0 in Empire 8 play. With the win, the Ducks have now extended their conference win streak to 47-straight matches, which dates back to when they competed in the Skyline Conference. Stevens will now face Nazareth College on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., followed by Ithaca at 3 p.m. Nazareth is also undefeated in league play.
Stevens def. Elmira 3-0 (25-23, 25-11, 25-14)
Set 1
With the Ducks trailing 8-15, senior right-side hitter Melissa Rhode took position behind the service line as she rallied off six-straight points as Stevens pulled within two (14-16). Behind 17-20, a tremendous kill by senior outside hitter Melanie Volk gave Stevens a point and possession as Sara Budar returned to provide Stevens with some tough serving. She helped the Ducks to a 4-0 run (22-20) and claim their first lead of the set. Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Byrne buried a kill straight down to bring Stevens within game point. A service error by sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Needham (Middletown, N.Y.), closed out the set and allowed Stevens to take a 1-0 advantage.
Set 2
The Ducks took an early lead and maintained it throughout. Ahead 13-8, Stevens called upon Budar to provide a powerful serving attack. She once again was stellar from the serving line as the Ducks posted a 7-0 run, including an ace, to bring the score to 20-8. A service ace by sophomore Julia Reilly saw the Ducks take a 23-11 lead. Reilly controlled possession and allowed Stevens to take the game and go ahead two sets to none.
Set 3
Stevens once again came out and dominated early in the set as the Ducks jumped ahead 18-8 with the help of some solid serving by freshman libero Brittany Conroy. Senior middle blocker Bethany Rankie helped to secure the win as she maintained service possession for the Ducks final four points.
Stevens was led by Volk, who tallied 10 kills and 13 digs. Rhode produced a .429 hitting percentage with six kills on 14 swings. She added 15 assists, nine digs and three block assists. Byrne accumulated nine kills, landed two aces and lofted 12 digs. Budar dished out 17 assists as she finished with four digs and an ace. Reilly led the team defensively with 16 digs.
Stevens def. Alfred 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 28-26)
Set 1
Ducks jumped out to a 9-2 lead as Bryne held possession of the serve while having landed an ace. Stevens maintained a powerful offensive attack throughout as they led at most by 12 points. Ahead 18-7, Reilly took position behind the serving line as the Ducks ran off seven-straight points, including an ace for the win as Stevens took a 1-0 lead in the match.
Set 2
In the second set, Stevens went to its bench as freshmen Trish DuFord and Kate Janes each made a start. Both of the first-year players had solid contributions in the Ducks 25-13 win over the Saxons.
Set 3
Stevens mixed things up in the final set as freshmen Andrea Bucko and Amethyst Holder joined DuFord and Janes in the starting lineup. The team was headed by Rankie, the only veteran on the court. Trailing the entire set, Stevens took its first lead to go ahead 18-17 behind some tough serving by Janes. However, the Saxons would not go down easy as they battled back to knot the set at 22-all. Back and forth points saw the score tied at 26-26. Conroy controlled the serving for the Ducks final two points registered. The win marks the 12th-straight time that Stevens has beaten a conference opponent without rendering a set.
Kill leaders for the Ducks were Bryne, Hamilton and Volk who each tallied seven apiece. Hamilton produced a .545 hitting percentage with one error on 11 swings. DuFord connected on 11 assists, while Budar dished out 10. Conroy led the squad defensively having lifted 10 digs. Janes and Holder each had solid outings as they registered five and four kills, respectively.
