Eagles Clinch Spot in Elite Eight to go Along with Regional Title

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata women's volleyball team stayed hot in the Regional Championship and NCAA Sweet Sixteen matchup on Saturday night, sweeping Middlebury College 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-12).

The match began in favor of the Eagles, who went on a 6-1 run as the Panthers took the opening point. The Eagles sustained their lead through the middle of the set, and a separate 6-1 run helped them pull away from the Panthers on the scoreline. Middlebury kept it close and didn't go down without a fight though. A 5-0 run of their own had brought the game to within two points at 17-15, but ultimately the Eagles prevailed. They won three clutch points to end a set of long rallies and gritty play, 25-19. The final kill came from Lily Podolan.  

Middlebury won the first point of set two, and held another early lead. The Eagles responded quickly again, this time going on a 5-0 run at a 5-5 tie to establish that key separation early. Like set one, the Panthers kept it close. It wasn't until another 4-0 run later in the set that the Eagles held another significant lead at 19-13. That run seemed to do all but defeat Middlebury in that set, as they cruised to a 25-16 set victory from there. The final point came from a kill by Mackenzie Coley.  

Set three was the Eagles' best-performing set of the night, and they reversed the trend by winning the first point this time. That first point sparked a 5-1 run to open the set. From there Middlebury four of the next five points to make it a one point game. The Eagles would maintain the lead though as another 7-1 burst put them out in front. After holding a 13-6 lead, the Eagles had two separate 5-0 bursts that gave them the edge in set three. The set ended 25-12 on a Middlebury service error.

Coley performed a strong performance, leading the Eagles with 19 kills (.486) while Courtney Williams added 11 of her own. Olivia Foley made 42 assists while Mia Schubert led with 14 digs on the night. 

Coley was named MVP of the regional, with Kiona Sky Rousset-Hernandez and Foley joining her on the team. 

All-Tournament Team

This will be the 34th time the Juniata women's volleyball team has appeared in the Elite 8 and the fourth consecutive year. The women's volleyball team closes the home portion of their schedule 17-0 in the comfortable confines of Memorial Gymnasium, which is the fourth straight year of them going unbeaten in Huntingdon.  

The Eagles will enter the Elite Eight as Regional Champions at 32-0, opponent TBA and will next play on Wednesday, December 4.