 |  |
Juniata MVB escapes a comeback effort, beating Pfeiffer 3-2
HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- It took five sets, but Juniata finally
dispatched Pfeiffer University after a two-game run threatened the
Eagles at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.
Set scores for Juniata were 25-20, 25-21, 20-25, 23-25 and
15-10.
Juniata (15-10) won the first two sets decisively, hitting .472
after set one and .359 through set two. The Eagles held the Falcons
to an even .100 after two sets. Juniata let the third set slip away
after losing a 12-11 lead, and never regaining the advantage. The
fourth set remained close, with neither team showing much
aggressiveness, until back-to-back kills by Micah Bortner gave
Pfeiffer a 21-18 edge. Attack errors by the Eagles ended set four
in the Falcons' favor at 25-23.
In the final set, Juniata was able to pull ahead when the Falcons
committed two errors. Juniata continued to extend its lead, and a
kill by Alex McColgin (Hamburg, N.Y./Hamburg) brought the Eagles to
set and match point. A kill by Eric Edelman delayed the end of the
match, but the Falcons could not finish as Edelman followed with an
attack error, ending the match 15-10.
Ross Madden (Richmond, Va. / Deep Run) led the Eagles with 12
kills on 28 swings, but recorded five errors giving him a .250
attack percentage. Pin hitters McColgin and Will Powers (Lancaster,
Pa./Manheim Township) each tallied 11 kills; McColgin received his
on just 21 swings with only three errors for a .381 attack
percentage from the right side, and also logged four blocks.
Middle hitter John Proudt (Evanston, Ill. / Evanston Township)
anchored the net accounting for 10 of Juniata's of the Eagles 18
blocks. Freshman Ben Krouse (Holland, Pa./ Council Rock South) and
senior Dan Follett (Cranberry Township, Pa./ Seneca Valley) split
time at libero; Krouse sprawled for a team-high eight digs, with
Follett turning up five. Mike Kraft (York, Pa. /Eastern York) and
freshman Rob Strauss (Penn Hills, Pa. / Penn Hills) took charge of
Juniata's offense. Kraft turned in 25 assists while Strauss dished
18.
Pfeiffer (8-9) was paced by Drew Burdett with 21 kills and a .455
hitting percentage on the night. Setter Evan Fullerton led a
balanced Falcon offense, setting 39 assists, but Juniata held its
opponent to a .179 attack percentage for the second time this
weekend.
Juniata travels to Springfield College on Friday, April 1, in a
crucial match for the Eagles' Molten Championship qualification
hopes. Juniata will be seeking a little revenge after the Pride
swept the Eagles at home, 3-0, earlier this season.
-30-
Contact Peter Lefresne at lefresp@juniata.edu or (814)641-3134 for more information.
