(Posted October 29, 2004)

Juniata 3, Ohio Northern 0
Juniata 3, Texas Lutheran 0

San Antonio, Tx. ? After ascending to the top spot in the AVCA/CSTV Division III poll earlier in the week, the Juniata College women?s volleyball team proved the promotion was deserved as the Eagles dispatched a pair of tough competitors by 3-0 scores on the first day of competition at the Trinity University (Tx.) National Invitational in San Antonio, Texas Friday evening. Juniata defeated sixth-ranked Ohio Northern 3-0 in the night cap, and earlier in the day dispatched Texas Lutheran by a similar 3-0 score. The wins improve Juniata?s record to 27-3 on the year.

The win over Ohio Northern was Juniata?s fourth win of the season over teams ranked in the Division III top-25. Juniata handed the Polar Bears by game scores of 30-21, 30-18 and 30-17. Three of Juniata?s wins over ranked opponents this season have come in three-game sweeps.

Katie Laucks (West York/York) and Erin Wisor (Altoona/Altoona) both had strong matches for Juniata with the pair each knocking out a team-high 13 kills. Laucks also led the unit with two aces. Lindsey Habel (Glen Oak/Canton, Ohio) also had a pair of aces. Setter Carli Dale (Cochranton/Cochranton) dished out 48 assists in directing the Eagle offensive attack.

Defensively Stephanie Kines (Towson/Towson, Md.) had a pair of blocks to lead the team. And libero Kelly Popernik (Bartlett/Bartlett, Il.) brought up a team-high 15 digs.

Juniata controlled the match against Texas Lutheran, taking the contest by game scores of 30-22, 30-25 and 30-17.

Dale not only ran an efficient offense from her setter spot with 38 assists, she also tied for the team-high with nine kills. Laucks also posted nine kills for Juniata and tossed in a team-best three aces.

Abby Leonard (Shade/Johnstown) was tops with 14 digs, while Habel and Allie Phillips (Carlisle/Gardners) had two blocks apiece for the Eagles.

The Eagles will close out the regular season tomorrow with a pair of matches at the Invitational. Juniata will tangle with 10th-ranked and host Trinity University, along with a match against St. Olaf College (Mn.).

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