Eagles Soar into Sweet Sixteen with Win over Marlins

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata Eagles women's volleyball team defeated the Virginia Wesleyan Unviersity Marlins in their NCAA Tournament Round of 32 matchup on Friday night in a 3-0 sweep.

Set one started similarly to the Eagles' performance last night against Penn State Altoona, as they dominated play early. A 10-0 run in the first ten points burst open a lead which the Eagles would never give up. Virginia Wesleyan gained some ground, but as the set went on they could not find consistent scoring to mount a comeback. The Marlins would only score three points in the set that did not come from an Eagles' attack error. Juniata would cruise to a 25-10 set victory after a long rally ended with a Virginia Wesleyan attack error on set point.

Set two began closely contested as the Marlins led for the first time at 1-2, and then kept the game within one point early. After a 7-7 tie though, the Eagles won six consecutive points to establish some breathing room. The Marlins kept fighting, but separate 4-0 and 6-0 runs would seal the deal for the Eagles late. The 25-12 set win was clinched on another attack error by the Marlins. 

The third set began much like set one, with a strong run by the Eagles as they won seven of the first ten points. That four point lead was maintained throughout the middle of the set as the Marlins kept finding ways to keep it close. Keeping it close would not be enough though, as they eventually needed to push for a comeback. After the Eagles won three consecutive points to make it 18-10, the Marlins responded with three consecutive points of their own to make it 18-13. This was the moment the Marlins needed to string some points together, but ultimately the Eagles prevailed. Juniata made several key plays down the stretch to secure the 25-16 set victory on a kill by Lily Podolan. 

Coley led the Eagles with 12 kills (.429) while Olivia Foley made 30 assists and Kiona Sky Rousset-Hernandez contributed 15 digs and five service aces.

The victory secures Juniata's spot in the sweet sixteen and regional finals tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., where they will face a strong Middlebury College team.