(Posted October 29, 2005)

Juniata 3, Savannah College of Art & Design 1
Juniata 3, Emory 0

Atlanta, Ga. ? The Juniata College women?s volleyball team insured that it will head into the postseason with plenty of momentum as the Eagles closed out their regular-season with a pair of victories over nationally ranked opponents Saturday in Atlanta. Juniata defeated 15ht-ranked NAIA Savannah College of Art & Design 3-1, and then downed third-ranked Division III opponent Emory University 3-0. The wins improved Juniata to 31-1 on the season and send the Eagles into the postseason having won 26-consecutive matches.

After dropping game one to Savannah 21-30, the Eagles rallied to take the next three games by scores of 30-18, 30-22 and 30-16.

Amber Thomas (Conestoga Valley/Ephrata) paced the team offensively with 19 kills, while Rachael Schatz (West Perry/Elliotsburg) added 17. Tara McMinn (Huntingdon/Huntingdon) brought up 20 digs in the match, while several Juniata players finished with two aces.

Then, in a rematch of last season?s NCAA quarterfinal, Juniata dispatched Emory 30-27, 30-27, 30-26. The win was Juniata?s seventh win of the season against a team ranked in the CSTV/AVCA Division III Top-25 Poll. Juniata has held the second position in the poll all season.

Schatz and Thomas were again the key offensive weapons for the Eagles as both players finished with 15 kills.
Stephanie Kines (Towson/Towson, Md.) was strong defensively as she recorded four blocks. McMinn notched 20 digs for the second time during the day, and Jessica Ritchey (Greencastle-Antrim/Greencastle) finished with four serve aces.

The two victories also extended a streak in which Juniata has won at least 30 matches in 26-consecutive seasons.

The Eagles begin postseason play this Wednesday as they host fourth-seed Moravian College for a Commonwealth Conference semifinal match.

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