Oct. 21, 2006 - A release written by Elizabeth Webber -

Outside hitter Margot Phelan recorded 14 kills, 10 digs, three assists, one service ace, and one block assist to lead the Franklin & Marshall women's volleyball team to a 3-0 (33-31, 30-28, 30-27) win over Rutgers University-Newark at the Juniata Invitational Friday, October 20, 2006.

Friday's win marks the Diplomats' second over Rutgers University, as they defeated Rutgers-Camden 3-0 (30-15, 30-17, 30-17) at the 2006 F&M Scramble Tournament.

In the first game, F&M jumped ahead 3-0 but was unable to shake the Scarlet Raiders, as they stayed within four throughout the game. Leading 23-22, the Diplomats fought to stay on top and eventually overcame their opponent 33-31 off a block to go up 1-0 in the match.

The second game back and fourth, as the teams exchanged the lead four times throuhout play. Falling behind 20-12, the Diplomats used a 4-0 service run by setter Holly Cordisco to pull within three at 17-20. Phelan and outside hitter Maritza Fair spurred the offense with a combined nine kills, as libero Nicole Kushman tallied four digs to keep the defense in the game. Battling back to the lead in the last points of the game, F&M sneaked ahead 30-28 to go up 2-0 in the match.

F&M really took control in the third game, as the team combined for 10 digs and seven blocks to stifle the Scarlet Raiders offense. Finishing ahead 30-27, F&M was able to keep the Scarlet Raiders at bay to record its first win of the tournament.

The Diplomats continue play Saturday, October 21, as they face Carnegie Mellon University at 1:00 p.m. and #1 Juniata College at 5:00 p.m.