HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 3, 2018) - Freshman Corinne Dougherty delivered a career-high 12 kills as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's volleyball team swept Alfred University (25-20, 25-13, 25-15) in Saturday's Empire 8 Conference semifinal match at Canavan Arena.
Junior Shelby Stewart added nine kills, six blocks and two aces as the Ducks advanced to the Empire 8 Conference championship for the second year in a row. Last season, Stevens defeated Nazareth 3-0 to earn their fifth E8 title.
The Saxons were led by Amber Smith, who recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs. Alfred finishes their season with an overall record of 7-21. Stevens has topped Alfred in each of the last two E8 semifinals.
Volleys and Points
- Junior Sara Hain issued a kill to open the match.
- Stevens took a 6-1 lead following a kill from junior Taleen Mitchell, an ace by freshman Kathleen Riegner and three attack errors by the Saxons.
- The Ducks committed four errors, bringing Alfred within one point.
- Amanda Burns delivered an ace for the Saxons to take a one point lead.
- A kill by Mitchell and an ace by freshman Elizabeth Chu, followed by an Alfred error put the Ducks on top, 13-11.
- The Ducks extended their lead 20-14 after two kills from junior Kristen Edmiston, a Dougherty kill and a ball handling error by the Saxons.
- Amber Smith and Karina Morling delivered kills and the Ducks had a ball handling error, making the score 20-17.
- Dougherty issued another kill, followed by two errors by Alfred, bringing the score to 23-17.
- The Saxons scored three more points, but it wasn't enough as Hain delivered a kill followed by an ace by sophomore Jillian Roumbanis to complete the set.
- Freshman Roxy Stirb issued an ace to start the second set.
- The two teams alternated points at the beginning of the set before Stevens took a 10-6 lead.
- After committing an attack error, Dougherty redeemed herself with back-to-back kills.
- Smith answered with consecutive kills for Alfred, making the score 12-9.
- Stevens took an 18-10 lead that was capped off by a kill from Stewart.
- The Ducks went on a 4-0 run to make the score 24-12 after a kill by Edmiston, two Alfred errors and an ace by Mitchell.
- Morling delivered a kill, but another kill from Stewart gave Stevens the final point they needed to claim the second set.
- Burns began the third set with an ace for the Saxons.
- A kill by Mitchell followed by an ace from Chu gave the Ducks their first points of the set.
- With Alfred in the lead 5-4, Stevens scored six consecutive points that included two kills from Dougherty and two aces from Stewart as the Ducks took a 10-5 lead.
- Morling ended the streak by setting down a pass from Burns.
- Hain delivered back-to-back kills, making the score 12-6.
- The Saxons went on a 5-0 run that included three kills by Smith to come within one point.
- The Ducks took a 16-11 lead after a kill from Hain and three errors by Alfred.
- After a kill by Sarah Raeman, Stevens scored four unanswered points to take a 20-12 lead.
- Smith ended the run after delivering a kill for the Saxons.
- Mitchell and Stewart each issued a kill, making the score 22-13.
- Stevens closed the match after two kills from Stewart and an additional kill by Dougherty.
Match Point
- Dougherty set down a pass from Riegner to score the final point of the match.
Inside the Numbers
- Stevens held the Saxons to a .019 hitting percentage.
- Riegner and Perez each dished out 17 assists.
- Stewart led all players with a hitting percentage of .500.
- Chu recorded 15 digs, while both Mitchell and Stirb tallied 10.
From the Sidelines
- "Our win today was a total team effort. We've talked a lot recently about how we are stronger together than we are individually and I think that's exactly how we played. Our offense performed and our passers and setters put them in a position to do that. Alfred had a great season and tested us but I'm really thrilled with how we played today and we're excited for tomorrow." - head coach Annie McShea
Unsung Hero
- Edmiston finished with a hitting percentage of .444 after delivering five kills along with one ace, four blocks and a dig.
Up Next
- The Ducks will compete in the Empire 8 conference championship match tomorrow, Nov. 4, at 12 P.M. against #2 Nazareth College.
- Stevens defeated the Golden Flyers in three sets on Sept. 22, but the teams have split their six tournament meetings.
- Stevens swept Nazareth in last season's championship match.
- Live stats and video links at StevensDucks.com.
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