(Posted March 16, 2008)

NEW YORK -- The number one-ranked Juniata College men's volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season to a Division III opponent with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of third-ranked New York University, Sunday afternoon at NYU's Coles Sports Center in New York City. Game scores were 30-20, 30-18, and 30-14. Juniata was held to just .084 hitting for the entire match, including an attack percentage of zero in the second game with nine kills and nine errors in 24 swings. NYU controlled the tempo of the match by hitting .447, with 54 kills on 94 total attacks over the three games. Game one was the only close game of the match, as the Eagles were tied with the Violets as late as 8-8, and still trailed by only four points with the score at 24-20 following a service error by Ilan Goldstein and an attack error by Eric Chakeen. The Violets regained the serve with a kill by Devin Zolnowski, then notched six straight points to complete the win - with two of the points off Juniata errors. Juniata was also tied with NYU at 8-8 in game two following a kill by Chris Vrooman (Baden, Pa./Ambridge Area), but NYU pulled ahead with a side out kill by Goldstein. NYU then scored the next four points to take a 13-8 lead, before Evan Halteman (Perkiomenville, Pa./Christopher Dock) ended the run with a kill. Juniata managed to stay within five points of NYU through 19-12, when the Violets again rattled off four straight points for a 22-12 lead and command of the game. NYU jumped out to a 4-1 lead in game three and never looked back, as they held Juniata to just three points off their own serve â?" all three of which came through Violet attack errors. Matt Fritz (Churchville, Md./John Carroll) led the Eagles with seven kills, while Zach Wanner (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) tallied just six. Matt Werle (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) set the offense to just 20 assists, while Anthony Damiano (Lititz, Pa./Manheim Township) led the defense with seven digs. Werle also had a hand in three of Juniata's 4.5 total team blocks. NYU only played seven players during the match, with Zolnowski leading the way with 16 kills. Jon Wintermeyer also finished in double figures with 15 kills. Goldstein logged 44 assists, while David Tener and Zolnowski each finished in double digits on digs with 13 and 12 respectively. Juniata returns to action at home on Wednesday when it hosts St. Francis University in an EIVA Tait Division machup. -30-

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