Eagles Clinch Playoff Spot With Straight Set Win over Cairn

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Needing a straight set victory over Cairn to secure a spot in the upcoming Continental Volleyball Conference Tournament, the Juniata men's volleyball team did just that. The Eagles defeated the Highlanders 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-14) on Senior Night at Memorial Gymnasium to clinch a playoff spot.

The Eagles had a season best .500 hitting percentage on the night. Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) had a team and career-high .727% with nine kills, two service aces, and two assisted blocks. Kyle Seeley (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) hit .562 on the night and put up 11 kills and seven assisted blocks. Ryan Shelton (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) tallied 24 assists and five digs.

The Eagles scored the first four points of the first set to lead 4-0. That lead grew to 11-4 and then 17-6 as Juniata cruised to take the frame.

Cairn took the lead in the second set 2-1. The Highlanders would not let the Eagles off lightly as they kept pace with JC and trailed only 9-7. Juniata began to break away as it led 14-10. Cairn was as close as 20-16 but the Eagles ended the set on a 5-1 run to claim the stanza.

The Highlanders got out to a 3-0 advantage in set three but Juniata answered with four straight points to go up 4-3. Cairn last led at 8-7 as a 14-3 Eagle run gave JC an insurmountable lead and the match win.

Prior to the match, the Eagles honored seniors Albert and Shelton. In their four years, the Juniata has won 87 matches, gone 31-11 against conference opponents, won two conference championships, and qualified for two NCAA Tournaments including playing for the National Championship in 2014.

JC travels to Owings Mills, Md. next Friday to play first place Stevenson in the CVC semifinals. The match will start at 6 p.m. followed by Rutgers-Newark and Marymount at 8 p.m. The Eagles dropped both of their matches earlier this season to the Mustangs by identical 3-0 scores and hope that the third time is the charm as they try to advance to the championship match.