(Posted September 21, 2005)

Huntingdon, Pa. ? Neither the first home or conference match of the season seemed to faze the Juniata College women?s volleyball team as the Eagles continued their early-season success with a 3-0 victory over Susquehanna University in Huntingdon Wednesday night. Juniata improved to 8-1 overall and 1-0 with the win while the loss dropped the Crusaders to 8-2 on the year and 1-1 in conference.

In a rematch of last season?s Commonwealth Conference championship match, the Eagles earned the victory by game scores of 30-22, 30-16 and 30-19 to snap an eight-match Susquehanna winning streak.

Game one was tight early on, before some strong late serving pushed Juniata to its 30-22 win. The Eagles had 11 serve aces on the match.

Juniata was in control throughout game two as Juniata cruised to the 30-16 victory.

Game three was also tight in the early going but Amber Thomas (Conestoga Valley/Ephrata) and Jess Fox (Cochranton/Meadville) produced some late offense to carry the Eagles to the win.

Thomas led Juniata with 12 kills in the match while also bringing up 15 digs. Brittany Carr (Titusville/Titusville) added six finishes for the Eagles, while three other players finished with five kills.

Beth Kozak (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) passed out 20 assists for Juniata playing in game two and a portion of game three. Jessica Ritchey (Greencastle-Antrim/Greencastle) handled the setting duties in game one and dished up 15 assists.

Kelly Popernik (Bartlett/Bartlett, Ill.) recorded three aces in the match, with Abby Leonard (Shade/Johnstown) recording two. Adding to the defense were Katie Laucks (West York/York) and Lindsey Fox (Cochranton/Meadville) who each had three blocks. Tara McMinn (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) led Juniata with 15 digs.

The Eagles return to action on Saturday with a pair of home contests. Juniata will host Rutgers-Newark at 2 pm in Memorial Gym and then will take on York College at 7 pm.

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