No. 20 Juniata Wins ASICS Invitational In Perfect 4-0 Weekend

By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The No. 20 Juniata College women's volleyball team was named the 2013 ASICS Invitational champion after a perfect 4-0 weekend. Juniors Amelia Kepler (Kane, Pa./Kane Area) and Brittani Young (Columbia Pa./Hempfield Area) were named tournament MVP and Defensive MVP for the weekend.

"There were definitely some players that took a step forward this weekend and really picked up their level of play," said head coach Heather Pavlik. "For others the weekend was what we expected. There were certainly no disappointments and everyone had great moments."

Kepler and Young, along with senior Amy Miller (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) and freshman Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) were named to the ASICS Invitational All-Tournament team. Young finished the weekend with 11 aces and 41 digs.

"There's a level of confidence that is different for her," said Pavlik. "You see a confidence and an understanding of what it is we want from her. Her ability to help the people around her be better is different than it was a year ago."

The Eagles won the opening match of the night 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-15), getting stand out performances from sophomore Bryce Arnold (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg Area), who ended the match with seven kills and a .462 hitting percentage, and newcomer Gearhart.

"Nakita's a great all around player," said Pavlik. "For her it's not just about hitting, it's not just about blocking, it's all the little things that she does that help the others around her be successful. She's a major facilitator and for a middle that is not the norm."

Juniata closed out the ASICS Invitational with a win against Thiel College 3-0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-20). The Eagles were led in the final match by seniors Courtney Lydick (McKean, Pa./General McLane) and Rachelle Wiegand (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central). Lydick finished with nine kills and a massive .750 hitting percentage and Wiegand came away with eight kills and a .438 hitting percentage.

"Our leadership is pretty spread out," said Pavlik. "I don't know that we have any one person that dominates the tone or the personalities on the court. I think at times it's Amelia, at times its Amy, and certainly I think that Brittani has a strong personality and that comes through. We're getting some good quality play and leadership in a different way from some of the youngsters."

The Eagles finished the weekend 4-0 and improved to 8-0 for the year. Juniata was dominant all weekend and it wasn't until the end of the first set against Gettysburg that the Eagles allowed their opponents to score 20 points in a match.

"A lot came from our serving," said Pavlik. "I think our serving overwhelmed some people and so we weren't having to face a lot of in system offense. Next weekend, we know the level of play is going to ratchet up pretty quickly here. They need to understand that they can't lose focus. Every point matters when you're in matchups with good teams because one or two points here or there can make the difference. The ability to focus for long periods of time is really important."

Juniata next travels to Springfield, Ohio for the Wittenburg Fall Classic, September 13-14, where they will face regional powerhouse Ohio Northern and No. 3 Wittenburg on Friday and No. 7 Washington-St Louis as on Saturday. The Eagles next return home for a matchup with Indiana (Pa.) on Tuesday, Sept. 24^th at 7 pm.

For all ASICS Invitational information, click here.

From left to right: Gearhart, Young, Miller, Kepler

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