(Posted March 19, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Kenny Eiser (Central Bucks West/Doylestown), a sophomore middle hitter for the Juniata College men's volleyball team, has been named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/Sports Imports Division III national player of the week for the stretch of March 11 through March 17. It marks the first time in his collegiate career that he has earned the honor.

Eiser, a 6-3 athlete, helped Juniata to a 2-1 record this past week, with the lone setback coming to Division I Rutgers-Newark. On Friday versus New Jersey Institute of Technology during a 3-1 win, he had 16 kills on 30 swings for a .433 hitting percentage. In addition, he had four blocks, two assists and one digs against the Highlanders. On Saturday during a 3-1 loss to Rutgers-Newark, Eiser tallied nine kills without a single error on 13 total attempts (.692). He added in six rejections and two assists as well. He wrapped up the weekend with eight kills, a .400 hitting percentage, four blocks, two digs and two assists in a 3-0 victory over Division III New Paltz. The triumph over the Hawks secured a spot for Juniata in the upcoming Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division III four-team championship. The winner of the EIVA Division III title advances to the Molten Division III national championship tournament.

For the week, Eiser averaged 3.00 kills, 1.27 blocks, 0.55 assists and 0.27 digs per game and hit .483.

"Kenny is a great weapon for us both offensively and defensively," said sixth-year Juniata head coach Ryan Patton. "He plays so strong at the net and is very quick. He is a great blocker and has the quickness and versatility to put a lot of kills away for us from the middle of the net and when he slides to the antenna. He just gets better and better with each match he plays."

For the year, Eiser is averaging 1.98 kills, 1.13 blocks, and 0.62 digs a contest, while hitting .352 on 105 kills, 29 errors and 216 total attempts. He leads Juniata in blocking average and total blocks (60).

Juniata, ranked third in the latest AVCA Division III Poll, will be back in action on Friday with a 7:00 p.m. home EIVA Tait Division match against Division I George Mason. The Eagles are currently 7-8 overall and 4-6 in the EIVA Tait.

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