ASICS Invitational Results and All-Tournament Team
HUNTINGDON, PA- The Juniata women's volleyball hosted two matches on the final day of competition at the ASICS Invitational. The Eagles defeated Franklin and Marshall 3-0 (25-15, 25-22, 26-24) and SUNY Cortland 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-12) to move to 12-2 on the season.
Against the Diplomats, Mar-Jana Phillips (Carson, CA/Rolling Hills Prep) totaled 12 kills. Megan Moroney (Mentor, OH/Mentor) added 11 kills and also had three assisted blocks. Brittani Young (Columbia, PA/Hempfield Area) had a team-high 21 digs. Bryce Arnold (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg Area) added seven digs. Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, PA/Upper Saint Clair) contributed five digs and 34 assists.
The Eagles easily took the first set. The second set was close throughout as Juniata could not separate itself from F&M. JC led 18-14 at one point but the Diplomats kept pace with straight points to tie it up at 18-all. Juniata got a little separation from its opponents with a 3-0 run to go up 21-18. F&M got to within 21-20, but the Eagles held off the threat and took a 2-0 lead.
Franklin and Marshall went up 10-7 in third game. JC rallied to tie before the Diplomats rallied to retake the lead 11-10. The advantage grew to as much as 22-14 before a furious 12-2 rally, highlighted by five kills from Phillips, put the Eagles up for good for the win.
In the Cortland match, Brittanie Tannenbaum (Highlands Ranch, CO/Highlands Ranch) contributed 11 kills and three service aces. Chelsea Scufaro (Geneva, OH/Geneva) had 10 kills. Karley Christian (Laguna Niguel, CA/Aliso Niguel) chipped in nine kills. Young led in digs with 13. Reynolds added five digs and picked up 38 assists.
The Red Dragons led 15-12 in the first game. The Eagles came back on kills by Tannenbaum and Christian to go on top 19-16. Cortland got as close as a point, 19-18, but the Eagles pulled away with a 6-2 run to go up 1-0.
JC had leads of 10-4 and 18-11 in the second game. Juniata kept its distance throughout the set to take it 25-17. Cortland never threatened in the third as the Eagles easily claimed the set and took the win.
Phillips and Young were both named to the All-Tournament team at the conclusion of the Invitational. The overall winner was Christopher Newport with the MVP going to Rachel Conway.
Juniata goes on the road for a Landmark Conference match with Susquehanna on Tuesday night. Start time is at 7 p.m.