HOBOKEN, NJ -- The No. 4 seeded Alfred University women's volleyball team fell to No. 1 seeded Stevens Institute of Technology, 3-0 on Saturday afternoon during the semifinals of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference Championships.

"Our team played exactly how us as a coaching staff expected them to play," Head Coach Dakota Pruiss said. "I have to give it to the girls, they went to the scouting report and utilized it perfectly."

The Saxons (9-21, 4-4 Empire 8) fell with set scores of 23-25, 9-25 and 15-25. They were led by senior opposite hitter Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) with 7.5 points from seven kills and one block assist. Senior setter Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) had 23 set assists and also the top hitting percentage for the Saxons with two kills on seven attempts with no errors.

Alfred University came close in the first set having fought back-and-forth with Stevens until the final handful of points where the hosts pulled ahead after the Saxons brought it within one points, 22-23. In the third set, Alfred University opened play up with a 10-6 run before the Ducks ran away with it.

Sophomore Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Webster Schroeder) followed D'Andrea with 7.0 points from six kills and one ace. Smith also led Alfred University with 17 digs. Junior libero Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) also had the back covered with 14 digs.

"It was an experience that no one on our team has had so I think that it was something that we needed," Smith said. "We needed to come here, we needed to know what we were fighting for all season. The match didn't go the way that we wanted but we played our hearts out and I think that's all that really matters."

"As Coach Dak said, we peaked at the right time," sophomore defensive specialist Mikala McCartney (Buffalo, NY/St. Mary's) said. "I'm really excited about what happened here and the experience overall and I"m really glad that I could be apart of something really cool."

The Ducks were led by Casey King with 17.5 points from 14 kills, one ace and a match-high five block assists.

This was the first Empire 8 Playoffs for the Saxons since the 2000 season.

"Stevens knows how to win and that's what we are looking for in our program," Coach Pruiss said. "I'm excited about that going forward because prior to this, no person on our team have been to the post-season, but we have six first-years and to start their careers off with a post-season bid, it's fantastic!"

"Throughout my four years playing for this amazing team, we have faced so much adversity, but through the dedication, passion and love of each member, we have grown to great heights," D'Andrea said. "My experience here has been beyond unforgettable with the ones I've shared these memories with from my fellow seniors to our amazing freshman. It's a great feeling being able to end the season playing our hearts out in post-season, and graduating knowing that this program is now a force to reckon with."