Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
NEW YORK, N.Y. (October 27, 2012) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team defeated the University of Rochester in five sets at the New York State Challenge on Saturday morning but lost to Rochester Institute of Technology in three sets to wrap up the weekend. Stevens (16-17) now enters the Empire 8 Conference tournament as the No. 2 seed at Elmira College on November 3 and 4.

The Ducks took down Rochester (20-10), 25-10, 26-24, 19-25, 13-25, 15-10, to pick up the hard fought victory against a regionally ranked opponent. Senior opposite hitter Maggie Kowalska (Edison, N.J.) paced Stevens with 19 kills and tallied 21 digs in the match.

Sophomore libero Kirsten Salmins (Wyckoff, N.J.) recorded a career-high 24 digs for the Ducks, while junior setter Samantha Gates (Wilmington, N.C.) handed out 43 assists and posted 14 digs with five service aces.

Two other Stevens players eclipsed double-digit kills in sophomore middle hitter Katie Hall (Midlothian, Va.) and freshman outside hitter Annemarie Thomas (Durham, N.C.). Hall chipped in 15 with four blocks, while Thomas added 10 and eight digs.

In the sweep loss to RIT, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21, Kowlaska once again led all players with 13 kills to go along with 12 digs. Gates dished out 22 assists and added eight kills, four blocks, four digs and three service aces.

Salmins recorded eight digs and picked up three assists, while sophomore outside hitter Kristen Herchenroder (Breezy Point, N.Y.) chipped in five kills.

The Ducks take on Ithaca College at 2 p.m. on the 3rd. If victorious, Stevens will play either Elmira or Nazareth College in the championship on the 4th.