Puerto Rico Pulls Away From No. 3 Juniata in Five-Set Battle
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – No. 3 Juniata College men’s volleyball fell 3-2 (15-25, 25-22, 25-23, 14-25, 15-6) to NCAA Division II opponent, the University of Puerto Rico Tuesday night. The Eagles (5-1) recorded 28 team blocks, the highest single-match total in over eight years with three individuals finishing with seven or more blocks.
By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: Jennifer Jones
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – No. 3 Juniata College men's volleyball fell 3-2 (15-25, 25-22, 25-23, 14-25, 15-6) to NCAA Division II opponent, the University of Puerto Rico Tuesday night. The Eagles (5-1) recorded 28 team blocks, the highest single-match total in over eight years with three individuals finishing with seven or more blocks.
"28 blocks is certainly a potential modern day record for us and a number that is rarely heard of in men's volleyball," said head coach Kevin Moore. "I was proud of the performance the men showed at the net. I think, unfortunately, inopportune errors are what eventually cost us."
Sophomore Carlos Faccio (Guaynabo, P.R./San Ignacio) spread the Eagles offense out for most of the match. Six hitters finished with at least five kills as he collected a career-high 27 assists. As a team, Juniata's hitting percentage increased as the match went on, recording only three errors in set three.
Sophomore Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) continued his dominating performance, earning a team-high eight kills and match and career-high 12 blocks. He and freshman Kyle Seeley (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) controlled the middle. Seeley pounded down seven kills on nine flawless swings earning a career-best .778 hitting percentage and added seven blocks of his own to the pot.
Juniata came out strong in set one, picking up the quick win. But Puerto Rico rebounded to take the next two sets, despite the Eagles imposing net presence. With their backs against the wall, Juniata pulled out the 25-14 win in set four hitting .385 as a team to force the deciding set. But a slow start hurt them as Puerto Rico pushed the final points of the match for the win.
The Eagles are on the road this weekend as they travel up to the Golden Flyer Classic in Rochester, N.Y. Juniata will take on No. 6 UC Santa Cruz at 11 a.m. on Saturday before facing host No. 2 Nazareth at 6:30 p.m.
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