Eileen Nicole Rodriguez is the Career Aces Leader

[Dane Pound]

RODRIGUEZ SETS NCAA VOLLEYBALL CAREER RECORD

     Baltimore, Md. – Junior Eileen Nicole Rodriguez became the NCAA Division I career service aces leader with a season-high 11 aces in UAlbany’s 3-1 victory over UMBC in America East Conference women’s volleyball action on Friday, Oct. 22 at the RAC Arena. Rodriguez entered the match needing seven aces to break Seton Hall’s Casie Alexander’s career record of 416. Rodriguez, who recorded a double-figure match total for the 11th time as collegian, now stands at 421.

     "I just started serving and once the first one or two came, I got on a roll," said Rodriguez, who eclipsed a mark established in 1993. "Then after I broke it, I served a couple of more because I was so excited. I didn’t expect it to happen this soon."

     Rodriguez, a left-hander who uses a jump-serve technique, already holds the NCAA single season record with 207 service aces during the 2002 season.

     "The single-season record was very special because it was the first one," explained Rodriguez, whose team remained in first place in the conference standings with a perfect 6-0 mark. "This is bigger and makes me happier and more emotional. I’m just really happy that I did it."

     Shelby Goldman’s 26 kills led four Great Danes in double figures. Ashlee Reed finished with a double-double as she recorded 14 kills and 10 digs. Ashley Hunter and Ashley Green each chipped in with 11 kills. Blair Buchanan amassed a match-high 58 assists.

     Emily Berman and Julia Hood registered 14 and 11 kills, respectively for the Retrievers (12-11, AE 2-4).

     UAlbany (18-5) extended its winning streak to 12 straight with the four-game win. The Great Danes continue conference action on Saturday at 4 p.m. at America East-rival Stony Brook.