ONEONTA, N.Y. (September 27, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team extended its Empire 8 win-streak to 24 matches with a pair of victories over league rivals St. John Fisher College and Ithaca College on the final day of the Empire 8 Crossover hosted by Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y. The Ducks defeated the Cardinals, 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-14), in their first match of the day before downing the Bombers, 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-21) in the afternoon session. Stevens, which remains undefeated in conference action since joining the Empire 8 in the fall of 2007, did not drop a set in its four matches over the weekend. The Ducks are now 12-6 overall with a 4-0 league ledger.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Byrne finished with 23 kills and 22 digs on the day, while freshman Maggie Kowalska added 19 kills and 15 digs. Junior libero Julia Reilly tallied 30 digs in two matches, while junior setter Sara Budar finished with 58 assists.
Stevens returns to action on October 2-3 when it hosts the 2009 Ducks Invitational featuring Montclair State University, the City College of New York, and SUNY New Paltz.
Stevens 3, St. John Fisher 0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-14)
Stevens wrestled control of the match early, jumping out to a 2-0 set lead with 25-12 and 25-16 wins in the first two sets. The Ducks, who have yet to drop a set during three conference matches this season, would then seal the win with a 25-14 victory in the third and final set.
Kowalska tallied a team-high 10 kills in the win, while Byrne added nine kills and six digs. Fellow junior Maggie Majcher totaled eight kills in the win, with Reilly and Budar adding 20 digs and 23 assists, respectively.
Sophomore middle blocker Laura Schwach (Rochester, N.Y.) led the Cardinals with six kills, while sophomore outside hitte Becca Smith (Orchard Park, N.Y.) collected a team-high 13 digs. Senior setter Elaina Braun (Waterloo, N.Y.) finished with 13 assists.
Stevens 3, Ithaca 0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-21)
After holding the Bombers to a -.233 hitting percentage en route to a 25-14 victory in the first set, Stevens earned a hard-fought 25-23 victory in the second set to take a 2-0 advantage. The Ducks would close out Ithaca, 25-21, in the third and final set to secure their 24th consecutive Empire 8 victory.
Byrne finished with 14 kills and 16 digs, while Kowalska added 10 digs and nine kills. Newcomer Brittany Fuller and Majcher added six kills apiece, while Reilly added 10 digs. Budar finished with 35 assists while directing the Ducks attack.
Sophomore middle hitter Kate Thoene (High Bridge, N.J.) led the Bombers with seven kills, while fellow sophomore Chelsea Hayes (Haworth, N.J.) added six kills. Senior setter Corinna Doctor (Staneateles, N.Y.) had 18 assists in the los, while junior Tina Orlandini (Altadera, Calif.) finished with 13 digs.
