SCHENECTADY, NY – Senior middle hitter Rachel Ormsby had 11 digs, 10 kills and eight blocks as Union College defeated Rivier, 3-1 in the final match of the first day of the 2008 NCAA Division III Union Regionals at the Viniar Athletic Center Thursday night. The Dutchwomen (36-5) came back to win, 18-25, 25-12, 25-12 and 25-13. It was Union's first ever NCAA playoff victory in the program's first appearance since 2002. Rivier, in the tournament for a third time and second straight, finishes the 2008 season with a 25-11 record.

Union will face New Paltz Friday night at 8:30 p.m. in one regional semifinal, while Fredonia faces Stevens at 6 p.m.

Sophomore setter Erika VanValkenburg led all players with 33 assists for the Dutchwomen. Junior libero Veronica Mynders had a match high 15 digs and freshman outside hitter Eve Richards had 11 kills and four digs. Senior outside hitter Julie LaSpina had 11 kills.

The Raiders were led by senior setter Laura Ciummo (Burrillville, NJ), who dished out 27 assists, and outside hitter Nicole Hersey (Milton, NH), who had nine kills. Freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Lauren Saccocchio (Warwick, RI) added seven digs for Rivier.

The Raiders won the opening game, taking the lead after a 4-4 tie and never relinquishing the lead. Union trailed 17-13 but never got closer and lost by seven. Union jumped out to a 10-5 lead in game two and after the Raiders pulled to within three, trailing 14-11, the Dutchwomen finished the game with an 11-1 run featuring three kills by LaSpina during that streak. The Dutchwomen were up 13-5 to start the third game and the largest lead was the final, 25-12. Union hit .412 in the third game after hitting .462 in the second game. In the nightcap, with an 11-3 lead to start, the Dutchwomen never led by less than six the rest of the way en route to a 25-12 triumph.