(Posted January 14, 2005)

Ohio State 3, Juniata 0

Columbus, Ohio. ? The Juniata College men?s volleyball team was looking to pull off a big upset in its 2005 season opener. Despite a solid all-around offensive effort Juniata?s upset bid fell short as the Eagles dropped a 3-0 decision to 10th-ranked Ohio State in Columbus Friday night. Juniata is now 0-1 to start the year, while Ohio State improved to 2-0.

Juniata hung tough in each game, but dropped the match by game scores of 30-24, 30-21 and 30-22.

A season ago, the Eagles extended the Buckeyes to five games before falling in the season opener. On this night Juniata?s offense turned in a strong performance, but on the flip side, Juniata could not slow down the Ohio State attack

Juniata hit a solid .338 as a team, with setter Rick Ziegler (Northeastern/Manchester) passing out 38 assists in directing the offense. Cordt Withum (Penn Manor/Holtwood) was Juniata?s top attacker as he finished with 11 kills. Glenn DeHaven (Walt Whitman/South Huntingdon, N.Y.) and Nathanael Ocasio (Northeastern/Manchester) both finished with seven finishes as Juniata knocked out 40 kills as a team.

But despite Juniata?s efficient offense, the Eagles struggled to contain the home team?s attack. Ohio State pounded out 51 kills with a .488 hitting percentage as a team. Juniata finished with two blocks as a team, and also gave the Buckeyes free points with 16 service errors. Tim Cole (Pennsbury/Yardley) paced Juniata?s defense with a team-best five digs.

Mark Greaves led all players with 17 kills for Ohio State, while Andy Cole was also in double figures with 12. Daniel Mathews passed out 45 assists, while recording four of the home team?s nine serve aces. Layne Dreven and Scott Spurlock both finished with three blocks for the home team, with Mike Wauligman and Greaves adding five digs apiece.

Juniata will continue its tough early-season schedule on Saturday when the Eagles play at Division I foe Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.