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ROCHESTER, NY - Three members of the RIT volleyball team earned 2009 All-Empire 8 honors on Friday. Senior middle hitter
Victoria Petko (East Amherst, NY/Clarence) was named to the first team, while freshman outside hitter
Rebecca Moore (San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo) garnered honorable mention accolades. Freshman
Melanie Springer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) was RIT's selection as the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year.
Petko earned All-Empire 8 first team honors for the second straight season, and was honored for the fourth straight year. In 2006, she was an honorable mention selection, and garnered second team honors in 2007. This season, Petko leads the squad with 456 kills, 127 blocks, and 61 service aces. Petko is averaging 3.35 kills per game, third best in the conference. She is RIT's all-time leader with 506 assisted blocks. In addition, Petko is sixth all-time at RIT with 1,631 kills and 10th with 198 service aces.
Moore has enjoyed an excellent rookie season, compiling 303 kills, while hitting .257 overall. The 303 kills are second on the squad, as are her 133 games played. Moore is fifth in the conference in hitting percentage.
Springer, a defensive specialist/setter, was named the Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year. Empire 8 emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete’s experience in conjunction with an institution’s educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.
The Tigers (19-18) close out their season on Saturday and Sunday at the New York State Regional Challenge hosted by Ithaca College.