POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (October 31, 2008) – Senior right-side hitter Melissa Rhode dished out 32 assists and lofted 17 digs as the 25th-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team started the Vassar Tournament with a pair of 3-0 wins. The Ducks started the night with a 25-11, 25-9 and 25-19 victory over SUNY Fredonia to finish with a 25-23, 25-23 and 25-12 sweep of the University of Rochester. Stevens is 28-4 on the year as it will close out tournament play on Saturday with a match against regionally ranked SUNY New Paltz before the Ducks take on the host Vassar at 2 p.m.

Stevens def. Fredonia 3-0 (25-11, 25-9, 25-19)
Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Byrne posted eight kills, nine digs and three blocks, while senior middle blocker Bethany Rankie chipped in with four kills and a pair of blocks. Senior outside hitter Melanie Volk lifted a team-high 14 digs and added four kills as sophomore setter Sara Budar connected on 15 assists. Senior middle blocker Jessica Gardner tallied three blocks and three kills, while sophomore Julia Reilly finished with eight digs.

Stevens def. Rochester 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-12)
In the win over Rochester, the team clicked offensively as they produced a .322 hitting percentage. Down 21-23 in set 1, the Ducks battled back to go on a 4-0 run behind the serving of Budar. Volk led the way as she hit .444 having landed 13 kills and lifting 12 digs. Byrne totaled a .381 hitting percentage on 13 kills as she lofted 10 digs. Budar dished out nine assists and added four digs as sophomore right-side hitter Maggie Majcher registered four kills and a block.

With the win over Fredonia, the Ducks increased its win streak against regionally ranked opponents to 45 straight. Stevens opens up play tomorrow against New Paltz at noon, followed by Vassar at 2 p.m.