Nov. 15, 2007

Stony Brook N.Y. - After capturing first-place in the regular season standings in the America East Conference, Stony Brook University's volleyball team will host the conference tournament this weekend. Stony Brook will be the No. 1 seed and will host the four-team event, one that will send the winner to the NCAA Tournament, on Saturday and Sunday, November 17-18.

Semifinals will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday with No. 1 Stony Brook facing No. 4 Binghamton. The Seawolves swept the Bearcats this season, winning each match three games to one. Following the Stony Brook/Binghamton tilt, the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds, New Hampshire and Albany, will battle for a spot in the finals on Sunday. The championship match will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Head coach Deb Matejka-DesLauriers brings her Stony Brook squad into the tournament after completing its most successful season since joining the America East Conference in 2001. The Seawolves finished the regular season with a 23-7 overall record, the most wins for the program since the shift to Division I, and an 11-1 mark in conference play, also a school record.

A group of four seniors has led the team to the top spot in the conference this season. A four-year starter, senior Morgan Sweany (Mission Viejo, Calif.) led the team in aces and was second on the team in kills and digs, ranking second in the America East in points per game. Leading conference in that category was senior Jackie Ahlers (Stony Point, N.Y.) who led the league with 574 kills. Her kills per game average of 5.04 is currently 14th in the nation. Senior Kaitlyn Deutsch (St. Louis, Mo.), this week's America East Setter of the Week, led the league with her total of 1,352 assists, the fourth-highest total in school history. Senior Amy Oleksiej (Coram, N.Y.) led the team in blocks with 95 while also ranking among the league leaders in hitting percentage and aces.

Tickets for the America East Tournament are $7.00 for Adults (14 and over) and $2.00 for Youth and students with a valid America East college ID. Stony Brook students will be admitted free courtesy of the Stony Brook Athletics Department. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling (631) 632-WOLF.