(Posted September 16, 2005)

Washington (Mo.) 3, Juniata 1


St. Louis, Mo. ? In a match-up between the number-one and two ranked teams in Division III as well as a rematch of the 2004 national championship match, the second-ranked Juniata College women?s volleyball team could not overcome a slow start as the Eagles fell to top-ranked Washington University (Mo.) 3-1 on the opening night of the Third Annual Teri Clemens Invitational. The loss dropped Juniata to 5-1 on the season, while the home team improved to 9-0.

Juniata had won its previous three contests against Washington, including last season?s national championship match and the last two meetings at the Clemens Invitational. The loss also snapped Juniata?s 25-match winning streak, which dated back to last season.

Juniata suffered its first loss by game scores of 30-17, 30-28, 26-30, 30-27.

The Eagles got a solid all around effort, but the difference came in the serving game. Washington tossed in eight serve aces on the match, while Juniata recorded just one. Juniata struggled to establish its strong play at the middle of the net, but hung in to force tight games two and four despite the loss.

Rachael Schatz (West Perry/Elliotsburg) led the Eagles offensive attack with 15 kills as one of three Juniata players in double figures. Stephanie Kines (Towson/Towson, Md.) added 12 finishes, and Amber Thomas (Conestoga Valley/Ephrata) chipped in 11.

Tara McMinn (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) was the top defensive factor for the Eagles, as she brought up 14 digs. Kines posted a team-best four blocks to go with her 12 kills.

Juniata continues play at the highly-competitive tournament on Saturday as the Eagles face eighth-ranked University of La Verne and 13th-ranked Trinity University.

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