(Posted November 15, 2004)

Huntingdon, PA - The Juniata College women's volleyball team will continue play in the NCAA Division III tournament on Friday as the top-ranked Eagles will welcome ninth-ranked Emory University (Ga.) for an NCAA Division III Quarterfinal at 7 pm in Memorial Gym. It will be the first meeting of the season between these two teams.

Juniata (34-3) earned its quarterfinal berth by winning the Mid-Atlantic region on the strength of 3-0 wins over Frostburg State and Eastern. Emory claimed the South region championship, defeating Washington and Lee 3-0 in the semifinal and then topping Texas Lutheran in the region championship.

Juniata reached the round of eight in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the 24th time in 24 chances. The Blue and Gold are the only team to appear in every NCAA Division III volleyball tournament, and have never fallen short of the final eight. Juniata swept through regional play topping Frostburg 30-15, 30-17, 30-20 and then rolling past Eastern 30-18, 30-21, 30-22 in the regional final. Katie Laucks (West York/York) led Juniata with 23 kills in the two matches, with Stephanie Kines (Towson/Towson, Md.) adding 20 finishes. Carli Dale (Cochranton/Cochranton) passed out 84 assists over the weekend and helped Juniata hit .353 as a team. Tara McMinn (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) led Juniata with 23 digs.

Emory is making its second appearance in the NCAA quarterfinal round after advancing to the NCAA Division III semifinals for the first time last season. Emory reached the quarterfinals with a 30-23, 30-24, 23-30, 30-27 win over Washington and Lee in the semifinals, then topped Texas Lutheran 30-23, 30-25 and 30-25 to advance to the quarterfinals. Outside hitter Courtney Rose paced the Emory offense with 24 kills in the regional while adding six aces. Katrina Damasco contributed 20 kills in the two matches, while setter Jolene Litzman dished out 89 assists. Monica Robbins led the team's defense with eight blocks, while Katie Wildermuth brought up 29 digs.

Friday's match will be the first NCAA tournament meeting between the two programs. Juniata won the last regular-season outing against Emory with a 3-0 win on the road last season. Juniata will be looking to earn its 19th semifinal appearance in the match. The winner of the match will face the winner of the New York University and Williams College in the NCAA Division III semifinals which are being held in Rochester, Minn. November 26.

Ticket prices for Friday's match are $4 for adults, $3 for students with ID and $2 for children 12 and under.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.