(Posted October 23, 2008)

BOSWELL, Pa. -- California University of Pennsylvania, ranked 19th in the AVCA Division II poll, had a little too much offense for Juniata College and downed the Eagles 3-0, in women's volleyball action Thursday night at North Star High School in Boswell, Pa.

Set scores were 25-20, 25-17, and 25-13.

"We got slammed around a little bit tonight, but it was a good thing to experience; it exposed a few things we need to work on," said Juniata head coach Larry Bock. "Cal is a very good team â?" they're going to be an NCAA Division II tournament team â?" and we were very fortunate to be able to play them."

Senior outside hitter Amber Thomas (Ephrata, Pa./Conestoga Valley) led the Eagles with 15 kills to go with her five digs, while Michelle Morchesky (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) had four kills and two digs. Drew Barnhart (Titusville, Pa./Titusville), Erin Albert (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) and Amanda Schmidt (Boswell, Pa./North Star) all had three kills on the night, while Schmidt, playing in front of a hometown crowd in her former high school gym, also had six blocks.

Megan Sollenberger (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) recorded 24 digs to go with one service ace, while Jessica Ritchey (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) had 12 digs.

Juniata setters Beth Kozak (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) and Steph Strauss (Penn Hills, Pa./Penn Hills) had 13 and 12 assists respectively.

"There was a little bit of a height difference that I won't belabor, but it's very clear that there are some little things that, if we can turn them around, would be very helpful," said Bock. "This is a team that has its destiny in its own hands."

The game against California (Pa.) opened a stretch of four games in three days for Juniata. The Eagles return home to host Washington & Lee, Carnegie Mellon, and New York University in the Wid Guisler Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center in Huntingdon. Juniata's first opponent on Friday will be Washington & Lee, with the match starting at 7:00 p.m.

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