Nov. 5, 2006

LANCASTER, PA - Third-seeded Haverford College (24-4 overall) defeated top seeded tournament host Franklin & Marshall 3-0 (30-28, 30-25, 30-23), en route to its first ever Centennial Conference Championship Sunday afternoon in Mayser Gym.

In game one, Haverford and F&M played even all the way up to a 28-28 score. However, the Fords won the next two points to capture the first game.

Haverford started game two off on a 6-0 run. The Diplomats worked their way back to within four points at 19-15, and five points at 25-20. However, the Fords closed out game two by scoring five of the game's final eight points.

Game three produced a tense atmosphere for the crowd, as the score went back and forth until it reached 16-16. Haverford then went on a 5-1 run to open a small gap but the Diplomats fought back within two points at 23-21. Haverford scored the last five points of the game, and closed out game three with a 7-2 run to solidify its championship.

Centennial Conference Player of the Year selection, Margot Phelan, led the Diplomats with 15 digs, while Susan Taylor and Maritza Fair tied a team-high with 11 kills.

Haverford was led by freshman outside hitter Rebecca Salvo who registered match-highs of 18 kills and 18 digs. Twin sister Rachel Salvo had 16 kills and ten digs, while junior outside hitter Dana Mullenhard registered ten kills.

The Diplomats (19-10) await word on their postseason fate when NCAA and ECAC pairings are announced on Monday.