Quarterfinal Games - Friday November 10

Game #1 - No. 1 New Jersey City University 3, No. 8 Neumann 1
Game #2 - No. 2 PSU- Behrend 3, No. 7 Lebanon Valley College 1
Game #3 - No. 3 Westminster 3, No. 6 Rutgers-Newark 0
Game #4 - No. 4 Franklin and Marshall College 3, No. 5 Moravian College 1

Semifinals - Saturday November 11

Game #5 - NJCU 3, Franklin & Marshall 0
Game #6 - PSU Behrend 3, Westminster 1

Championship - Saturday November 11

Game #7 - NJCU 3, PSU Behrend 1

MVP - Lizzelle Cintron, NJCU

NJCU WINS 2006 ECAC DIVISION III SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

LIZZELLE CINTRON NAMED MVP, NOW 7TH IN DIVISION III IN KILLS AND ALL-TIME LEADER IN NEW JERSEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HISTORY

JERSEY CITY, NJ...New Jersey City University junior middle blocker Lizzelle Cintron (Newark, NJ/Elizabeth) powered 34 kills and earned Most Valuable Player accolades as the top-seeded Gothic Knights won their 12 ECAC Championship in any sport in school history, with a 3-1 victory (30-21, 27-30, 30-28, 30-25) over #2 seed Penn State University-Behrend, in the championship match of the 2006 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III South tournament. The two-day championship tournament was hosted by NJCU at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

NJCU wins its first-ever ECAC men's or women's volleyball title and the third in any women's sport (2005, bowling; 1989, basketball). The Gothic Knights improve to 33-8 overall, extending their single-season record for victories.

The victory gives NJCU its first post-season title in women's volleyball. The Knights are now 3-2 all-time in NCAA and ECAC playoff contests.

NJCU also extends its home court winning streak to 32 consecutive matches and own a perfect 32-0 home record in the three-year career of head coach CHRISTOPHER FELICIANO.

Penn State-Behrend concludes their season with a 29-4 record. NJCU and the Lions were meeting for the first time in women's volleyball. In the two-day, eight-team tournament, the higher seed won all seven matches.

"The ECAC championship was significant for the club," said Feliciano. "After losing to Richard Stockton College in the NJAC finals and not received an invite to the NCAAs, the team found it imperative to prove that we deserved an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and they clearly proved that.

This year our difficult tournament schedule paid off at the end. The women knew how to play against teams that ran fast-tempo offenses. They know how to play when they're behind. They're experienced. This will be a great start for the 2007 season as we look to regain the NJAC championship."

Cintron was named Most Valuable Player of a tournament for the third time this season as she notched 79 kills (23, 22, 34), and had a .496 hitting percentage in three matches during the championship (79-16-127). Additionally, she had 43 digs 23 blocks and five aces.

Cintron entered the day with 2,192 career kills, and 11th in Division III history. In two matches, she increased her astonishing career total to 2,248, as she vaulted over four players into seventh place in Division III history.

When she eclipsed Rutgers-Newark's Domini Lanzone (1999-03) four-year total of 2,217, she became the all-time leader in career kills in the history of the New Jersey Athletic Conference in just three seasons. On the all-time NCAA list, Cintron passed DePauw's Janie Hodgkinson (1998-01, 2,214), Lanzone, Carnegie Mellon's Lauren Schmidt (1999-02, 2,233), and Gettysburg's Catherine Schott (1996-99, 2,239). Cintron is on pace to move into the Top five all-time in the first week of the 2007 season and could finish No. 2 in Division III history.

Cintron also broke her own single-season school record with 846 kills, surpassing her total of 831 in 2004. The 846 kills ranks fourth in Division III history since the 30-point rally scoring format was adopted.

In Saturday's final, Cintron led all players with 34 kills (34-6-57) and a .491 percentage, with 17 digs, eight blocks (three solo) and three aces. It marked her 15th career match of 30 or more kills and sixth this season and NJCU improved to 12-3 all-time when she collected 30 in a match. She also exceeded 25 kills in a match for the 27th time in her career.

Sophomore setter SOFIA GUTIERREZ (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) posted a double-double with 40 assists and 10 digs with four aces.

Sophomore outside hitter JACQUELINE LeBLANC (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) uncorked 14 kills (14-9-41, .122), and added a double-double with 16 digs and five assisted blocks. She finished her second season with 917 career kills. Sophomore middle blocker SARAH TORRES (Elizabeth, NJ/Science) added eight kills (8-5-16, .188) and five blocks.

Also for NJCU, sophomore libero LYANELLY NEGRON (Union, NJ/Union) defended a match-high 25 digs. Junior outside hitter GLORINELL PEREZ (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) provided 19 digs, four kills and two aces, while junior setter NADIA DaSILVA (Newark, NJ/Science) dished 17 assists. Freshman opposite MICHELLE CINTRON (Newark, NJ/Elizabeth) chipped in four kills and two blocks.

Behrend entered the finals having won 12 of 13 matches, and in defeat the Lions received 17 kills, a .333 percentage (17-3-42) and five blocks from senior middle hitter Elaine Voltz (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch). Senior outside hitter Lisa Wagner (New Castle, PA/Laurel) notched 11 kills (11-1-29) and hit .345. She added 13 digs.

Freshman middle hitter Sheila Ogden (Grove City, PA/Grove City) chipped in seven kills and four blocks, and freshman setter Brooke Gallentine (Mt. Pleasant, PA/Southmoreland) added 42 assists and 12 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Brittany Hennessy (Hopewell, PA/Hopewell) came up with 24 digs.

After NJCU took a 1-0 lead in the match, the Lions pulled out game two to even the final, 1-1. The Gothic Knights outlasted Behrend 30-28 in the third game for a 2-1 edge.

In the fourth game, NJCU was again challenged by the Lions late, as Behrend closed the Knights' lead to 26-25. However, NJCU scored the final four points to claim the championship. Lizzelle Cintron pounded a kill, and she and LeBlanc combined for a block for a 28-25 lead. After a Behrend attack error, a solo rejection by Cintron gave NJCU the title.

"We're comfortable at home," Feliciano said of the 32-match home court streak. "Any team should be comfortable at home. For the past three years we have taken advantage of our crowd and just the feeling of belonging. Our gym can be an uncomfortable place for opposing teams. Our fans have supported us for three seasons and have been there for some amazing victories. I applaud the NJCU fans for their support."

JERSEY CITY, NJ...On day one of the 2006 Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III South Tournament, hosted by New Jersey City University at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center, four quarterfinal matches were contested, with each of the top four seeds in the tournament draw advancing to day two.

Top-seeded NJCU extended its home court winning streak to 30 consecutive matches and set a single-season record for victories with 31 by ousting #8 Neumann College, 3-1 (30-21, 20-30, 30-20, 30-21).

No. 2 Penn State-Behrend (28-3) overcame a resilient Lebanon Valley College club and eliminated the No. 7 seed, 3-1 (27-30, 30-21, 32-30, 30-25).

Third-seeded Westminster College (PA) (24-11) rolled past No. 6 Rutgers-Newark in a sweep, 30-15, 30-22, 30-21. No. 4 Franklin & Marshall College (20-10) rebounded from an early deficit to stop Moravian College, 3-1 (27-30, 30-26, 30-22, 30-22).

In Saturday's semifinals round at 9 a.m., NJCU will face F&M, while Westminster will meet PSU-Behrend. The championship match will be held at approximately 12 p.m.

Capsules:

#1 New Jersey City University def. #8 Neumann College, 3-1 (30-21, 20-30, 30-20, 30-21)

NJCU received a combined 55 kills from junior middle blocker LIZZELLE CINTRON (Newark, NJ/Elizabeth) and sophomore outside hitter JACQUELINE LeBLANC (Westfield, NJ/Westfield), and the Gothic Knights won a post-season match for the first time in program history, as #1 seeded NJCU defeated #8 Neumann College, 3-1, by a 30-21, 20-30, 30-20, 30-21 margin.

With the win, NJCU improves to 31-7 overall and breaks the single-season record for victories set by the 2004 club (30-6). It is the most wins by any athletic team in University history, other than women's bowling, which plays more than 100 matches per year.

NJCU also extends its home court winning streak to 30 consecutive matches and own a perfect 30-0 home record in the three-year career of head coach CHRISTOPHER FELICIANO.

With the loss, Neumann's season ends at 21-14 overall. It was the first meeting between the schools in women's volleyball.

Cintron planted a match-high 23 kills (23-6-37), hit .459, and added 11 digs, eight blocks (six solo) and two aces. Now with 2,192 career kills-11th in Division III history-she needs just 23 more to move into the Top 10 all-time. Meanwhile, she now has 790 kills this season-sixth in a single-season in NCAA history under the 30-point rally scoring format, and just 41 shy of matching her own annual school record of 831.

LeBlanc tied her career high with 22 kills, accomplishing the feat for the second consecutive match with only four errors (22-4-41), for a .439 percentage. She added four aces and two blocks.

NJCU, the nation's No. 1 ranked team in hitting percentage, hit .423 overall in the match (67-15-123). Sophomore setter SOFIA GUTIERREZ (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) dished 31 assists, while junior setter NADIA DaSILVA (Newark, NJ/Science) disbursed 25 more.

Also for NJCU, sophomore libero LYANELLY NEGRON (Union, NJ/Union) defended a match-high 32 digs. Junior outside hitter GLORINELL PEREZ (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) tallied a double-double with eight kills (8-1-12), a .583 percentage, and 13 digs, while sophomore middle blocker SARAH TORRES (Elizabeth, NJ/Science) added eight kills (8-2-17, .353) and two blocks. Freshman opposite MICHELLE CINTRON (Newark, NJ/Elizabeth) chipped in six kills (6-2-15, .266).

In defeat, the Neumann Knights received 12 kills (12-3-34, .265) from sophomore outside hitter Rachael Sokolovich (Eddystone, PA/Ridley), who added eight digs and four blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Meghan Wilson (West Chester, PA/Bishop Shanahan) defended 18 digs. Freshman middle hitter Emilee Gruse (Lafayette, IN/St. Mark's) and senior outside hitter Jenna Halpin (Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Regional) each had seven kills; Gruse had six blocks and Halpin added three. Sophomore setter Kristen Gregg-Verone (Folsom, PA/Cardinal O/Hara) tallied 30 assists.

#2 Penn State-Behrend def. #7 Lebanon Valley College, 3-1 (27-30, 30-21, 32-30, 30-25)

For the first time in three years, Lebanon Valley will not play for the ECAC championship. The 2004 and 2005 runners-up took a 1-0 lead and forced the third game into extra points, but the Penn State-Behrend was able to put away LVC in a tight fourth game to seal the match, 3-1. The Lions saw LVC close within 27-25 in the final frame before scoring the final three points to advance.

For the Lions, which won for the 11th time in 12 matches, senior middle hitter Elaine Voltz (Saxonburg, PA/Knoch) smacked 19 kills and hit .306 (19-4-49) with three blocks and three aces, while senior outside hitter Lisa Wagner (New Castle, PA/Laurel) notched 13 kills (13-5-39, .205) and added 24 digs and five blocks. Freshman middle hitter Sheila Ogden (Grove City, PA/Grove City) stuffed eight blocks.

Also for Behrend, freshman setter Brooke Gallentine (Mt. Pleasant, PA/Southmoreland) had 44 assists and 17 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Brittany Hennessy (Hopewell, PA/Hopewell) came up with 22 digs.

In defeat, the Flying Dutchmen had three players in double figures in kills, led by senior outside hitter Natalie Goodfellow (Spring Grove, PA/Spring Grove), who landed 23 (23-13-68, .147). She added 23 digs and finished her career with an LVC school record 1,662 kills, including 617 this season.

Sophomore middle hitter Margaret Prebula (York, PA/Northeastern) added 16 kills (16-8-43, .186) and three blocks while freshman middle hitter Whitney Meyers (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle-Antrim) chipped in 15 winners (15-9-39, .154). Sophomore setter Erin Yost (Boyertown, PA/Brandywine Heights) deposited 57 assists and 19 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Brandi Roth (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) had 22 digs.

 #3 Westminster College (PA) def. #6 Rutgers-Newark, 3-0 (30-15, 30-22, 30-21)

Westminster College needed just 70 minutes to eliminate Rutgers-Newark, as the third-seeded Titans rolled past the Scarlet Raiders (23-12). Westminster hit .300 as a team with 48 kills (48-15-110), while Newark kept its heads above water with a .017 percentage (22-20-115).

The Titans were led by junior outside hitter Diana Conzett (Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard) with 12 kills (12-4-28, .286), while senior middle hitter Katie McDermott (Austintown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch) collected 11 kills and a .409 percentage (11-2-22), with nine digs. Junior middle hitter Danielle Hogue (Slippery Rock, PA/Slippery Rock) had a .417 hitting clip with seven winners (7-2-12).

Also for the Titans, sophomore setter Traci Hassell (Hubbard, OH/Hubbard) contributed 32 assists and 15 digs. Westminster received a combined 29 digs from sophomore defensive specialist Kylene Hoch (Youngstown, OH/Hubbard) and junior Jenna Hinks (Warren, OH/Mineral Ridge).

The Raiders received nine kills (9-6-34) and 10 digs from freshman outside hitter Katlyn Lewis (Hillsdale, NJ/Pascack Valley), and 12 digs from senior libero Jessica Kleeman (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West). Sophomore setter Nazly Hasanizedah (Katy, TX/Alief Hastings) handled 20 assists and served three aces.

 #4 Franklin & Marshall College def. #5 Moravian College, 3-1 (27-30, 30-26, 30-22, 30-22)

Franklin & Marshall College overcame a game one loss as the Diplomats prevailed for the fifth time in their last six matches. Overall, F&M had 41 kills, eight blocks and seven aces.

The Greyhounds received 16 kills (16-4-44, .273), seven digs and two aces from senior outside hitter Kelly Bauer (Hellertown, PA/Notre Dame) and 13 kills, seven digs and two aces from sophomore outside hitter Maria DeBonis (Nazareth, PA/Notre Dame). Senior setter Valerie Korsak (Coplay, PA/Whitehall) had 33 assists. F&M improved to 20-10 overall, while Moravian has its season end at 16-14.