Eagles Bested By Clarion in Five Sets

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Juniata women's volleyball hosted a non-conference match with Clarion University from Division II on Tuesday night. The Eagles hung with the Golden Eagles in a back and forth match but Clarion outlasted JC in the end 3-2 (17-25, 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12).

Juniata got out to a 13-2 lead in the first set. Clarion began to settle in with a 11-5 run that cut the Eagle advantage to 18-13. JC was able to withstand the Golden Eagle surge as it stayed out in front and won the set 25-17.

The two teams traded points early on the second set before Clarion broke a 6-6 tie with a 12-5 run to go ahead 18-11. The Eagles never threatened as the Golden Eagles were able to tie the match at one set apiece.

Juniata went ahead 5-1 in the third frame until Clarion caught up to tie the set at 5-5. JC briefly held a 14-13 lead until a 9-4 Clarion run put the visitors on top 22-18. The Eagles got to within 22-20 but the Golden Eagles outscored JC 3-1 down the stretch to win 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

The Eagles overwhelmed Clarion in the early moments of the fourth set as they got out to a 7-0 lead. The Golden Eagles stormed back with a 9-2 run to tie the frame at 9-9. Another 7-0 JC run staked the hosts to a 16-9 lead. Clarion was unable to mount a successful counter as Juniata went on to win 25-20 and force a fifth set.

JC led 6-3 in the final set but Clarion was able to recover and take the lead. The Golden Eagles went ahead 14-10 and despite Juniata tallying two points, got the win on an attack error.

Mar-Jana Phillips (Carson, Calif./Rolling Hills Prep) led the team with 15 kills and hit .370 on the night. She added five digs, two solo blocks and three block assists. Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) added 10 kills, four digs, and two service aces. Glen Brumm (Oro Valley, Ariz./Canyon Del Oro) totaled nine kills, 16 digs, and four service aces. Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, Pa./Upper Saint Clair) put up 29 assists and four service aces. Katie Thomas (Batesville, Ind./Batesville) chipped in 12 assists. Katie Byrne (Annapolis, Md./Broadneck) piled up 28 digs. Megan Moroney (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) tied her season-best with five block assists.

Juniata returns to Memorial Gymnasium on Friday when it hosts Bethany (WV). Start time for the match is 7:00 p.m.