(Posted February 6, 2010)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata was in the service zone Saturday night against ninth ranked New York University.

The Eagles dished out 10 services aces for the night, the most since last season's 3-2 mid-season win over Ohio State, on their way to a 3-0 win over the Violets at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.

Set scores for Juniata were 30-23, 30-23, 30-22.

Juniata (2-3) dominated NYU (1-4) across all statistical categories, out-hitting, out-blocking, and out- digging the Violets. The Eagles out-hit the Violets in attacking percentage .311 to .120. Juniata combined for 8.5 total blocks over NYU six, and logged 26 digs to the Violets 17.

Outside hitter Chris Vrooman (Baden, Pa./ Ambridge Area) led the way with four aces coupled with his six kills. Zach Wanner (Lancaster, Pa./ Hempfield) was the only Eagle to reach double digits in kills with 10 and only two errors, along with two aces of his own. Dan Follett (Cranberry Township, Pa./ Seneca Valley) had second on the team kills with eight on 14 attempts, hitting .286 for the match with four total blocks.

Ben Wolff (Meadville, Pa/ Meadville) hit .400 on the night with five kills and only one error on 10 attempts. Wolff had five total blocks with one solo block. Evan Halteman (Perkiomenville, Pa./Christopher Dock) was a force in the middle, attacking at a .333 hitting percentage with five kills.

Mike Kraft (York, Pa./ Eastern York) finished the match with two aces, and coordinated the offense with 31 assists. Senior libero Anthony Damiano (Lititz, Pa./ Manheim Township) and Vrooman led the match in digs, each with seven.

Ryan Limb led NYU with nine kills, two errors on 15 attempts, as well as a match high three solo blocks combined with one block assist. Cooper Gwaltney added 10 kills, six errors on 23 attempts.

For the Violets, freshman setter Trevor Salter came away with 18 assists, and Ori Oren tallied eight assists for the match. Libero Jay Hayes logged five digs for the Violets.

A chance came in the third set for NYU to snag the frame, only trailing Juniata 16-15. A service error by Limb gave the Eagles a two point lead over the Violets. Juniata got hot with a Vrooman kill and a pair of service aces by Kraft to build a 20-15 lead, and consistently kept at least a three point lead over NYU the rest of the way.

The Eagles return to Memorial Gymnasium Friday February 12, to take on EIVA Hay opponent Rutgers University-Newark at 7 p.m.

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