Brooklyn, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University volleyball team traveled to Long Island University Saturday, Nov. 18 for the Northeast Conference Tournament and defeated Wagner and St. Francis (Pa.) to advance to the tournament finals. The Colonials defeated Wagner, 3-2 (22-30, 32-30, 30-15, 30-22, 15-13), after falling behind two games to none. RMU also defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) in the semifinals, 3-1 (30-21, 30-28, 18-30, 30-25).

In the first match of the day for the Colonials, senior Janette Schneider (Leetsdale, Pa. / Quaker Valley) and junior Jennifer Stambaugh (Union Bridge, Md. / Francis Scott Key) both tallied 21 kills. Schneider also tallied six digs and five total blocks, while Stambaugh completed her double-double with 17 digs, three block assists and one service ace. Junior setter Tawnya Storino (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin) dished out a match high 57 assists along with 17 digs and four block assists, while sophomore Alaina Gibson (Muncie Ind. / Muncie Burris) tallied a match high 26 digs.

Junior Haley Schroeder (Kenmore, N.Y. / Kenmore West) led the offense for RMU in its second match of the day against Saint Francis (Pa.). Schroeder tallied 15 kills, two digs and one block assist. Schneider recorded 14 kills, four digs, four total blocks and one service ace, while Stambbaugh tallied 12 kills, nine digs, two aces and one block solo.

Storino dished out 39 assists and also finished with 15 digs, while Gibson tallied 14 digs.

The Colonials face Long Island, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006 for the NEC Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. LIU has defeated RMU in the last two championship matches.