ELMHURST, IL- The Juniata women's volleyball wrapped up competition at the Elmhurst Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Jays proved to be too much for the Eagles as they won 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19). Juniata is now 18-5 on the season while Elmhurst improves to 24-4.
Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, PA/Upper Saint Clair) tallied 35 assists and added nine digs. Lydia Mueller (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) had a career-high 13 digs. Chelsea Scafuro (Geneva, OH/Geneva) chipped in 11 digs and eight kills. Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, PA/Greencastle-Antrim) totaled nine kills, three digs, and three assisted blocks. Megan Moroney (Mentor, OH/Mentor) had eight kills and three assisted blocks. Mar-Jana Phillips (Carson, CA/Rolling Hills Prep) contributed seven kills, three service aces, three digs, and two assisted blocks. Amelia Kepler (Kane, PA/Kane Area) had 10 kills and three assisted blocks. Brittani Young (Columbia, PA/Hempfield Area) finished with 18 digs.
In the first set, the Eagles trailed the Blue Jays by only 11-10 but seven straight points from Elmhurst gave it an 18-10 lead. It was a cushion that proved to be enough as the home team went on to take the set and lead 1-0.
The Eagles got out to a 7-2 lead early in the second set but saw that advantage whittle down to one several times with the final time coming at 21-20. A 5-1 Blue Jay run down the stretch gave Elmurst the lead and the win to go up 2-0.
Juniata came out fighting in the third frame as it scored the set's first six points. The lead grew to as much as 23-13. Elmhurst would make things interesting with three straight points but kills from Moroney and Gearhart helped to give the Eagles the win and make it a 2-1 match.
The fourth game had the Blue Jays getting off to an early lead but JC coming back to tie things up at 10-10. Juniata had leads of 11-10 and 12-11 and the set would be tied at 13-all. The Eagles trailed by one at 18-17 but five consecutive points from Elmhurst gave it a 23-17 advantage and the Blue Jays held on for the 25-19 win to take the match.
The Eagles look to rebound on Wednesday when they travel to Beaver Falls, PA to face Geneva. Match time is at 7 p.m.