(Posted February 22, 2006)

Saint Francis 3, Juniata 0

LORETTO, Pa. ? The Juniata College men?s volleyball team opened a big week of EIVA Tait Division play with a less than stellar result as the Eagles dropped a 3-0 decision to local rival Saint Franics 3-0 in Loretto Wednesday evening.

Despite a late rally in game three, Juniata was unable to come away with the victory as the Eagles suffered the set-back by game scores of 30-21, 30-16, 35-33. Juniata fell to 5-5 overall and 1-3 in the EIVA Tait, while the Red Flash raised 8-4 on the year and 4-2 in the division.

After a pair of decisive victories for the home team, the Eagles looked to be in position to extend the contest in a tight game three. The Eagles trailed 27-23 late in the game, but ripped off four-straight points to tie it up at 27. Jeremy Barndt (Souderton/Souderton) and Nate Ocasio (Northeastern/Manchester) both had kills during the run. From there, the teams exchanged 13-straight side-outs before a solo block from Marc Honore.

Juniata never led in either game one or game two and fell behind early in both games. In game one, Juniata found itself in a 20-12 deficit after a pair of Saint Francis service aces. Juniata would mange to get back within six on a kill from Cordt Withum (Penn Manor/Holtwood) but got no closer as the Red Flash earned the win. Saint Francis took another big lead mid-way through game two, as a 5-0 run for the home team left the score at 14-7. A 7-0 run from Saint Francis later in the game continued Juniata?s problems as the Red Flash recovered from a late service ace from Juniata?s Matt Springer (William Allen/Allentown) to claim the victory.

Barndt paced Juniata with nine kills in the match while also finishing with a .571 hitting percentage. The junior middle also recorded five blocks to lead Juniata. Gnell DeHaven (Walt Whitman/South Huntington, N.Y.) added seven finishes on the night. Matt Werle (Meadville/Meadville) passed out 34 assists while Casey Dale (Cochranton/Cochranton) finished with a team-best seven digs.

Honore led all players with 15 kills in the match while also producing five blocks. Jim Fazzini was also in double figures with 12 terminations while adding a match-high three aces. Shane Conley dished out 47 assists on the night while helping the home team hit .404 as a squad. Zach Nanni led all players with 11 digs on the defensive side for the Red Flash.

Juniata returns to action Friday night with another EIVA Tait Division contest as the Eagles host Division I George Mason.

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