Juniata Stopped by #5 Rutgers Newark; Remains Alive For Playoff Spot

HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Holding on to a 2-0 lead over #5 Rutgers-Newark, the Juniata men's volleyball team nearly pulled off an upset win on Friday night at Memorial Gymnasium. The Scarlet Raiders came back to win three straight sets to defeat JC 3-2 (21-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22, 15-12).

The loss, however, did not extinguish the Eagles' playoff chances. With a straight set victory over Cairn tomorrow night, Juniata can clinch the final playoff spot in the Continental Volleyball Conference Tournament.

The Eagles received big performance from both Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) and Kyle Seeley (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) on the night. Albert had 19 kills and hit .500 while also tallying five assisted blocks. Seeley picked up 20 kills and topped his season-best hitting percentage from Wednesday night with a .643 showing. He also picked up five assisted blocks.

Ryan Shelton (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) contributed 47 assists and also played a role on defense with eight digs and five assisted blocks. Brendan Smith (Fuquay-Varina, N.C./Fuquay Varina) led the Eagles in digs with nine.

The Eagles piled up 16 total blocks, which was a season-best.

Rutgers-Newark got out to a 4-1 lead early in the first set before Juniata fought back to go ahead 6-5. The two teams played a tightly contested frame throughout. JC got a little separation from the Scarlet Raiders with a 20-16 advantage. The Eagles were able to keep their distance as they outlasted Rutgers-Newark and won the set.

Set two was also a back and forth battle early on as both teams traded points. The Scarlet Raiders led 11-8 but JC tied it up at 11-all. After Rutgers-Newark went ahead 12-11, an 8-4 Eagle run put Juniata on top 19-16. The Eagles were able to once again fend off the Scarlet Raiders and take the set.

The third set was a seesaw battle that saw JC lead 14-12. A quick 4-0 Scarlet Raider run gave the visitors a 16-14 advantage. The Eagles trailed for the remainder of the stanza as Rutgers-Newark won.

Juniata led 3-0 in the fourth frame but Rutgers-Newark wrestled the lead away. The Eagles were able to tie the set on several occasions and got to 23-22 but the Scarlet Raiders scored the last two points to knot the match at two sets apiece. Rutgers-Newark got ahead 7-3 in the final set as it went on to win the frame and match.

If the Eagles defeat Cairn 3-0 tomorrow night at Memorial Gym, Juniata would be tied with Eastern Mennonite for the fourth and final playoff berth in the CVC. The tiebreaker then goes to point differential between the two teams, which would favor JC.

Match time on Saturday is at 7 p.m. It will also be Senior Night and the team will honor seniors Albert and Shelton prior to the match.