Eagles Take Down Captains 3-1
HUNTINGDON, PA- The #4 Juniata women's volleyball team took down the Captains of Christopher Newport University, 3-1, in their opener to the Wid Guisler Invitational on Friday Night.
The match began with a 0-4 start for the Captains, putting the Eagles behind early. They grew into the game quickly, taking their first lead at 8-7. Later in the set, 3-0 runs were traded three times, until a 0-4 run from the Captains and a quick point from the Eagles tied the game 17-17. After splitting the next four points, Juniata went on a key 4-0 stretch to give them four set point opportunities. They clinched the set on their third attempt, 25-22, after Audrey Muth nailed one down the line.
Set two was one the Eagles never trailed in, which was made easier after winning seven of the first ten points. The four-point advantage only grew from there, as the Eagles soared ahead in an 8-2 run late to close out the set 25-14. Isabella Rushing dropped an ace on the final point.
Set three was the closest of the night. The Captains stood tall when they needed to, and overcame significant resistance from the Eagles in this set. After an early 2-1 lead, the Eagles never led in the set, but they kept it close for a long time. Down 14-18, the Eagles came out of a timeout and closed the gap to two, before the Captains got one back to lead 22-19. After trading the next two points, the Eagles took another timeout and won three big points with Muth serving. At 23-23, it was anyone's game, but Christopher Newport prospered with a kill cross-court and a service ace.
The fourth and final set was all Juniata. Closing out any opportunity the Captains had for a comeback, the Eagles jumped out to a 12-4 lead early and never trailed in the set. Down the stretch the Captains came within eight, but never threatened the Juniata lead. Molly Mishinkash made the final kill as the Eagles cruised to victory, 25-13.
Muth led the way with 18 kills on a strong performance supported by Elizabeth Cleveland's 48 assists. Rushing tallied a match-high 22 digs on the night.
The win moves the Eagles to 9-1 on the year through their first ten matches. Tomorrow the Eagles will play matches 11 and 12 against Nazareth University at 11:00 a.m. and Johns Hopkins University at 5:00 p.m. in a doubleheader to close out the tournament weekend.