By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: TJ Chance-Chin
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – There were nearly 700 fans in attendance to watch No. 3 Juniata College men's volleyball take on No. 9 Kean University in the 2014 NCAA Division III men's volleyball tournament and the Eagles did not disappoint. Juniata (28-4) defeated the Cougars, 3-2 (21-25, 25-18, 26-28, 25-17, 15-6), in a thriller at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center Friday night. With the win, the Eagles now face SUNY New Paltz in the national semifinal match at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Tickets will go on sale one hour prior to match time.
Junior Joe Bortak (Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford) tied for the match-high of 16 kills while only committing one hitting error. Sophomore Matt Elias (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) ran the offense and finished the night with a double-double. He assisted on 47 kills and picked up 11 digs.
Kean (26-8) started the match on fire in set one, and went on to win 25-21, after out-blocking Juniata and finishing the set tied in kills, and degrees.
"We knew we were in for a dogfight," said head coach Pat Shawaryn. "The guys didn't quit. They didn't put their head down and just kept pushing. That's what we asked for all day, all year. Just happy that when push came to shove, we were able to push back and we came out on top. They're a great team."
The Eagles hit .310 as a team en route to their 25-18 set two victory to tie the match up at 1-all. After Kean pulled out an emotional 28-26 set three win, it seemed the Eagles were on the ropes. But the home crowd was behind them and Juniata mounted a rally.
"It definitely helps with our excitement level," Bortak said off the crowd. The Eagles pushsed the final two sets and won, never relinquishing the lead This is their first time in the NCAA tournament semifinals.
Juniata bowed of the tournament last year in the quarterfinals. This is their second time facing New Paltz this season. The Hawks swept Juniata the last time they met back on March 1.
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