Sage Falls In First Round Of NCAA Tournament

SCHENECTADY, NY – Senior setter/defensive specialist Melissa Rhode (New Orleans, LA) had 13 kills and 19 assists and senior outside hitter Melanie Volk (Thompsons Station, TN) had 12 kills along with 12 digs to lead Stevens Institute of Technology to a three game triumph over The Sage Colleges in the second match of the 2008 NCAA Division III Union Regionals at the Viniar Athletic Center Thursday.

The Ducks improved to 33-4 and advance to tomorrow’s match against Fredonia State Friday at 6 p.m. Sage finishes the season with a record of 24-12 after making their second straight NCAA appearance. The Ducks advance in their fifth straight appearance in the tournament.

Senior middle blocker Jessica Gardner (Penfield, NY) and sophomore defensive specialist Maggie Majcher (Rahway, NJ) posted seven kills each for Stevens, which hit .330 for the match. Sophomore outside hitter/libero Julia Reilly (Oradell, NJ) joined Volk with 12 kills for the Ducks.

Sage was led by senior outside hitter Krista Provost (Duanesburg, NY), who finished with 12 digs and seven kills, and sophomore middle hitter Nicole Corbett (Schodack, NY), who finished with eight kills. Junior outside/right side hitter Sarah Peacock (Duanesburg, NY) added 11 kills for the Gators.

In the first game, the Ducks took a 10-4 lead and led by as many as 12 (22-10). Rhode had two of the final four points on kills in the 10 point victory. The Ducks hit .444 in the second game, but the Gators had an 11-9 lead and kept it close throughout. After an attack error, the Gators trailed just 21-18 but the Ducks went on a 4-1 run to close it out. Stevens duplicated the opening of the match in game three, with a 10-4 advantage, but Sage got as
close as four (19-15) after a set error. Stevens went on a 6-1 run to complete the match victory.

From the Union College Sports Information Desk