ALLENTOWN, PA. (September 5, 2008) – Senior outside hitter Melanie Volk helped to lead the Ducks to a pair of wins during the opening night of the Muhlenberg College Tournament in Allentown, Pa. Volk totaled 21 kills and seven digs over the two matches as the Ducks defeated Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham 3-1 (26-28, 25-23, 25-14, 25-14) and Moravian College 3-1 (25-16, 25-17, 21-25, 25-13).
Stevens (2-2) dominated at the net having registered a total of 18 team blocks on the day. As a team, the Ducks produced a hitting percentage of 0.320 against FDU and 0.295 versus Moravian.
In the match against the Devils, sophomore outside hitter Sarah Byrne led the team in kills (10) and notched 10 digs. Senior middle blockers Jessica Gardner and Bethany Rankie were stellar at the net as Gardner recorded four blocks and four kills, while Rankie tallied three kills and three blocks.
Sophomore right-side hitter Maggie Majcher notched eight kills and five digs against FDU. Senior setter Melissa Rhode dished for 34 assists and added 11 digs. Junior outside hitter Laura Johnson accumulated a 0.471 hitting percentage as she landed eight kills and finished with five digs. Sophomore libero Julia Reilly led defensively with 20 digs.
In the win over the Greyhounds, Byrne once again led the team in kills (16) as Rhode connected on 38 assists and added six digs. Majcher posted nine kills and four blocks, while Volk had 12 kills and six digs. Senior middle blocker Summer Hamilton responded as she amassed six kills and three blocks. Johnson finished with four kills and a pair of digs as Reilly chipped in with nine digs.
After tonight's performance, the Ducks will return to action tomorrow in the championship bracket as they are slated to take on York College at noon. Following that Stevens will take on host Muhlenberg at 2:30 p.m. as both matches will be played again in Allentown, Pa.
BUTTERMAKER VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
September 5-6, 2008
Muhlenberg College
Friday Results
Pool A
Muhlenberg def. King's, 3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-13)
King's def. Medaille, 3-1 (25-12, 24-26, 25-13, 25-11)
Muhlenberg vs. Medaille, 3-1 (25-16, 22-25, 25-7, 25-5)
Muhlenberg wins Pool A
Pool B
FDU-Florham def. Moravian, 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23)
Stevens def. FDU-Florham, 3-1 (26-28, 25-23, 25-14, 25-14)
Stevens def. Moravian, 3-1 (25-16, 25-17, 21-25, 25-13)
Stevens wins Pool B
Pool C
DeSales def. York, 3-2 (18-25, 16-25, 25-17, 25-18, 15-13)
Susquehanna def. DeSales, 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-12)
York def. Susquehanna, 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-14)
York wins Pool C
Saturday Schedule
Championship Bracket
Muhlenberg vs. York, 10:00
York vs. Stevens, 12:00
Muhlenberg vs. Stevens, 2:00
Silver Bracket
King's vs. Susquehanna, 10:00
Susquehanna vs. FDU-Florham, 12:00
King's vs. FDU-Florham, 2:00
Bronze Bracket
Medaille vs. DeSales, 10:00
DeSales vs. Moravian, 12:00
Medaille vs. Moravian, 2:00
