Eagles Split Matches in Wid Guisler Doubleheader

HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata women's volleyball team split two matches on Saturday, defeating the Nazerth University Golden Flyers 3-0 and falling to the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays 1-3 in the Wid Guisler Invitational.

The opening match against the Golden Flyers was heavily controlled by the Eagles. A 7-0 opening run with Elizabeth Cleveland serving set the standard for the Eagles to follow the rest of the set. The Lead only grew larger as Nazareth struggled to defend the Eagles attack. Separate 3-0 and 5-0 runs helped the Eagles on their way to a 25-9 set one win. Ava Castillo clinched the final point with a kill.

Set two began similarly to set one, with the Eagles taking an early 6-0 lead this time around. The Eagles kept winning about three points for every one point conceded, until they finished the set just like they started it, with another 6-0 burst. A Nazerth attack error gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead, 25-10.

The Eagles took care of business in set three, although Nazareth kept it much closer than the previous two sets. The Golden Flyers' momentum came late, as another 5-0 start from the Eagles established a lead which Juniata would never give up. The lead grew as large as eight, but shrunk to only three after a 0-4 run from the Golden Flyers. At 20-17, the three-point advantage stayed the same as the teams traded the next six points, until the Eagles closed out the match. Madison Mcilwain made the final kill for the Eagles to make it 25-20 and give the Eagles a 3-0 sweep.

Castillo led the Eagles in kills for match one at 12, while Dakota Wilson made 15 assists and Isabelle Fekula added 11 digs. 

Match two was a highly anticipated one against a nationally ranked Johns Hopkins team, and it proved to be competitive on both sides of the floor.

Set one against the Blue Jays was the longest set the Eagles have played this season, lasting 60 total points. It began in a back and forth manner, with ties at 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4. The teams continued to trade runs, with the Blue Jays maintaining a slight edge into the middle of the set. The Eagles made 3-0 and 4-0 runs following a five point deficit to bring the game its next tie at 19-19. 3-0 runs were traded between the sides and the teams were knotted up again at 22. The Eagles had an opportunity to win the set up 24-23, but after the Blue Jays tied it at 24, the set rested on a knife's edge. Neither team could break the deadlock, as the game was tied at each point until the Blue Jays finally found consecutive kills to edge past the Eagles, 29-31. 

Set one proved how little separated the two sides, and it was difficult for either team to establish large leads. Set two followed suit with neither team holding more than a two point lead, until the Eagles had a 3-0 burst to go up 15-13. The Eagles lead was increased to four at 22-18, and they served for set point again up 24-23, but were unable to take the final step. The Blue Jays prospered again with a 0-3 run to close out the set, 24-26.

The third set was crucial for the Eagles, and they made a stand where they needed to. A 7-3 run in the first ten points gave the Eagles a lead which they'd never give up in the set. After the Blue Jays had brought it to one point at 13-12, a 6-0 run from the Ealges re-established the lead. The Blue Jays kept fighting, but at 20-18, the Eagles won five of the next seven points to see out the set. A bad set by Johns Hopkins gave the Eagles the win on the final point.

Set four was tough for the Eagles, as they were unable to continue their momentum from set three. It stayed close in the first half of the set, but the Eagles couldn't break the Blue Jays offense as the set went on. Three separate 0-4 runs were only met by three Eagles points, and the deficit was too much to overcome. Johns Hopkins took the set and match, 12-25, and 1-3, respectively. 

Audrey Muth and Ava Gummer both tallied 13 kills against the Blue Jays while Elizabeth Cleveland totaled 36 assists. Isabella Rushing made 23 digs on the night.

The loss marks the Eagles' first in Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center Memorial Gym since 2019. The Eagles move to 10-2 on the year and will reset for their final match before conference play next Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. against the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats.