(Posted March 22, 2005)

Huntingdon, PA - Juniata College junior outside hitter Nick Bernardo (Christopher Dock/Lansdale) has been named the EIVA Division III player of the week for his efforts on the court for Juniata. It is the first honor that Bernardo has captured this season, and is the fifth weekly conference honor that Juniata has earned in 2005.

Bernardo was a key offensive contributor as Juniata topped Ball State for its fourth win this season over a Division I opponent. He finished the match with a team-high 14 kills, which fell just three kills shy of matching his season high. He also brought up a season best seven digs and added a pair of blocks. His total of 15 points was tops on the team and he also passed out two assists to aide the Juniata offense. He then rounded out the week by recording four kills and one block while playing one game in Juniata's 3-0 victory over Newbury. For the week Bernardo averaged 4.50 kills, 4.88 points, 1.75 digs and 0.75 points per game, all of which were well above his season averages.

After capturing first-team AVCA Division III All-America honors at Eastern Mennonite University last year, Bernardo transferred to Juniata prior to his junior year. He has made an immediate impact for the Blue and Gold as he is tied for third on the team with an average of 2.90 kills per game. Through the team's first 16 matches he had pounded out 87 kills and recorded a .232 attack percentage. He has also contributed to Juniata's defense as he ranks fourth on the team among the regulars with an average of 1.0 digs per game and has also produced 0.43 blocks per game. He has also notched three serve aces on the season.

Juniata has held the top spot in the CSTV/AVCA Division III Coaches Poll each week of the 2005 season and is 10-6 through 16 matches. Along with its four Division I victories, the Eagles have not lost to a Division III team in 2005 and had won six-consecutive matches after the victory over Newbury. Juniata will put that winning streak on the line on Tuesday March 22 when the Eagles play at EIVA Tait opponent Rutgers-Newark.

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