Newburgh, N.Y. - The #2-seed St. Joseph's College women's volleyball (20-12) team won the 2013 Skyline Conference Championship this afternoon by virtue of a 3-2, five-set, dramatic win over the #1 Sage Gators (17-17) in the Skyline Conference Tournament.  The capturing of the championship earns the team the conference's automatic bid into the prestigious NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  For the Golden Eagles it is their third Skyline championship in the history of the program and the first since the 2003 season.

SJC easily defeated #3 Farmingdale earlier in the day in the semifinal match-up, 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-21).  The Sage Gators were previously unbeaten in conference play this year.

Sophomore Heather Ferchland (Selden, N.Y./Centereach) compiled a match-high 22 kills and 24 points versus Sage and was named the Most Outstanding Performer of the Championship for her efforts.  She also amassed 11 kills and a .611 hitting percentage in the sweep of Farmingdale in the semi's. 

Freshman Taylor Ahmed (Farmingville, N.Y./Sachem North) added 30 digs for SJC, which rallied from a 2-1 deficit to edge Sage, 19-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-21, 15-9. Junior Julianne Tierney (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) totaled 49 assists in the championship game.  Skyline Player of the Year Helen Putriment paced the Gators with 14 kills and 30 digs in the match.

The team will now await the call from the NCAA Division III championship committee on Monday to learn which regional bracket they will be placed in.

Click this link to see the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 11 a.m.

Complete details will be available right here on sjceagles.com as they are released.