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.

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