(Posted June 14, 2002)

Huntingdon, Pa. - Sophomore opposite Javier Garcia (San Ignacio/Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) earned a spot on the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division III First Team, while sophomore middle hitter Kenny Eiser (Central Bucks West/Doylestown) picked up second-team recognition from the same organization. It marked the second straight year Garcia garnered first-team all-star honors, however, Eiser's selection to the second team is his first post-season recognition. In addition, junior setter Scott Kofmehl (North Allegheny/Pittsburgh) was tabbed as a member of the 2002 EIVA all-academic team for the second straight season. To be selected for the academic honors, a player has to be at least a sophomore with a 3.50 or higher cumulative grade-point average and have competed in 60 percent of the squad's games. Kofmehl was one of 15 players to meet the criteria for the honor.

Garcia ended the year with a team-high 3.59-kill average. In addition, Garcia tallied 294 kills, 85 digs, 55 total blocks, 28 aces and 19 assists for the year. He was tops on the club in total kills, kill average and kill attempts (621), all for the second straight year. Garcia was second among the regulars on the team in service aces (.34), third in blocks (.67), and fourth in digs (1.04) and hitting percentage (.253). Overall, he reached double figures in kills 16 times, including a season-best 21, during a five-game loss on February 8 at the hands of Princeton. Garcia matched his personal-high in digs on February 1, when he scooped 10 balls in a losing effort at home versus Springfield.

Eiser paced the Eagles in virtually every blocking category. He amassed eight solo blocks and 77 assisted rejections to end the season with 85 total rejections. He also paced the squad with his blocking average, which stood at 1.12 per game at the conclusion of the season. He blocked a season-high 10 balls on March 22 at home to help lead the Eagles over visiting George Mason. In alll, Eiser failed to block a hitting attempt in only two matches during the 2002 campaign. Eiser hit .319 during the season, which was good for second on the unit. He also finished fourth in kill average (1.89). He slammed down a season-best 16 kills during a March 15 victory over the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Overall, he tallied 10-or-more kills in a match three times.

Kofmehl spent his time as the club's starting setter and team captain this past season. He passed out a career-best 72 assists during a loss to Princeton on February 8. Overall, he accumulated 50 or more assists on six different occasions, while on his way to dishing out double-digit passes in every match for the Eagles this past winter. In addition, Kofmehl had 56 kills on 115 tries (.330 hitting percentage), 11 aces, 85 digs and 44 blocks. He owns a 3.88 cumulative grade-point average as an international political economy student.

The Eagles, who closed the year with a 9-14 overall record and a 5-9 mark in the EIVA Tait Division, ended the season with a 3-0 loss to George Mason in the EIVA quarterfinals this past Saturday evening.

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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