Women's Volleyball Remains Undefeated with Sweep of Christopher Newport Invite

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – The Juniata women's volleyball team continued their dominant start to the season with a sweep of the Christopher Newport Invitational. The Eagles defeated both Averett University and Bethany College (WV) 3-1 Saturday afternoon, improving their record to 11-0.

Mar-Jana Phillips (Carson, CA / Rolling Hills Preparatory) received Tournament MVP honors, with 38 total kills and a .452 average hitting percentage over the weekend.

Head coach Heather Pavlik was pleased with Phillips's play and how she's emerging as a leader on the team. 

"MJ has grown by leaps and bounds, especially over the last year," Pavlik said. "She carried us through some of the games this weekend. When we needed a kill, we could count on her. I'm very proud of her effort and determination." 

Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, PA / Greencastle-Antrim) and Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, PA / Upper Saint Clair) were named to the All-Tournament team. 

Gearhart recorded a total of 33 kills and averaged a .413 hitting percentage over the weekend. Reynolds totaled 122 assists, averaging 9.38 per set. 

Saturday's competition began at noon against the Averett Cougars. Juniata took the first set 25-17 but the Cougars would return to take the second set. The Eagles dominated the third and fourth sets (25-13, 25-15) to take a 3-1 win. 

Gearhart led the offensive attack against Averett, recording 12 kills and a .647 hitting percentage. Phillips and Brittanie Tannenbaum (Highlands Ranch, CO / Highlands Ranch) followed with five kills and a .625 hitting percentage (Phillips) and 11 kills (Tannenbaum). Megan Moroney (Mentor, OH / Mentor) recorded seven kills and a .428 hitting percentage. 

"Averett was scrappy and tough," Pavlik said. "We had to really grind through these matches. I'm hoping we use them to become tougher mentally." 

Next up for Juniata was Bethany College. The Eagles took the win from the Bisons 3-1 (25-22, 28-26, 22-25, 25-17). 

Reynolds recorded 52 assists, her second highest total of the season (59 against Clarkson). Glen Brumm (Oro Valley, AZ / Canyon Del Oro) finished with 10 kills and a .474 hitting percentage. Phillips led the offense against the Bisons with 18 kills for a .385 hitting percentage. Moroney followed with 13 kills. 

"Bethany is a big, physical team and they really good defense," Pavlik said. "This weekend's opponents were all very good." 

The Eagles are now one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country. No.1 Emory was undefeated before dropping both matches Saturday afternoon (No. 2 Calvin and Claremont) and Juniata defeated No. 3 Christopher Newport Friday night.

Pavlik is pleased with the progress her team is making, their resilience and how they've played against their opponents thus far.

"This team is growing and changing every day," Pavlik said. "We have played a very good schedule so far and I think it will serve us well moving forward. They're gaining experiences that can only be gotten through playing tough competition." 

Juniata begins Landmark Conference play Tues. Sept. 22 when they take on Susquehanna at home in Memorial Gym at 7PM.