(Posted October 1, 2005)

Juniata 3, Rutgers-Newark 1
Juniata 3, Princeton 0

Princeton, N.J. ? Playing two matches on different campuses on the same day did not slow down the Juniata College women?s volleyball team as the Eagles claimed victories over both Rutgers-Newark and Princeton University in non-conference action Saturday. The two victories improved Juniata to 14-1 on the season.

Playing first at Rutgers at noon, Juniata claimed a 3-1 victory earning the match by game scores of 30-18, 26-30, 20-16, 20-13.

Rachael Schatz (West Perry/Elliotsburg) was the key offensive force as she pounded out 17 kills with a .593 hitting percentage. Stephanie Kines (Towson/Towson, Md.) added 12 kills, while Katie Laucks (West York/York) contributed 11.

Laucks also had five of Juniata?s nine serve aces in the match as the Eagles strong service and blocking helped limit Rutgers to a .069 team hitting percentage. Laucks finished with a team-best six blocks while Kines, Schatz and Erin Albert (Philipsburg-Osceola/Philipsburg) each had five blocks.

Jessica Ritchey (Greencastle-Antrim/Greencastle) passed out 51 assists for the Blue and Gold while adding 10 digs. Tara McMinn (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) led the team with 23 digs, while Kristi Fitzsimmons (Diamond Ranch/Pomona, Ca.) added 12. Amber Thomas (Conestoga Valley/Ephrata) matched Ritchey with 10 digs.

Juniata followed up that victory by topping Princeton 3-0 at 7 pm. Juniata claimed the match with game scores of 30-26, 30-24 and 30-16.

Three Eagles each had 12 kills on the match as Schatz, Kines and Laucks all reached that total, with Thomas chipping in 11. Laucks and Thomas each produced four blocks for the Blue and Gold, while Thomas also notched five aces.

McMinn registered another strong performance as she brought up 19 digs. Beth Kozak (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) handled the setting duties in the nightcap and finished with 49 assists.

Juniata returns to action on Wednesday when they will play conference opponents Widener and Lebanon Valley in the same evening.

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