SPRINGFIELD, OH- The Juniata women's volleyball team began its quest for a third NCAA championship as it played Franciscan University on Thursday afternoon in NCAA Regional competition. The Eagles had no problem with the Barons as they cruised 3-0 (25-14, 25-9, 25-9). The match was held at the Pam Smith Arena on the campus of Wittenberg College.

Offensively, JC was led by the combination of current AVCA Player of the Week Nakita Gearhart (Waynesboro, PA/Greencastle-Antrim) and Karley Christian (Laguna Niguel, CA/Aliso Niguel) who both had nine kills. Gearhart had a hitting percentage of .643 while Christian's was .667. Mar-Jana Phillips (Carson, CA/Rolling Hills Prep) added seven kills. Kelly Reynolds (Upper Saint Clair, PA/Upper Saint Clair) had totaled 33 assists.

On the defensive side, Brittani Young (Columbia, PA/Hempfield Area) and Bryce Arnold (Shippensburg, PA/Shippensburg Area HS) tallied 10 digs each. Chelsea Scafuro (Geneva, OH/Geneva) and Reynolds both chipped in nine digs.

In the first set, the Eagles led 13-8 before going on an eight point run to extend their lead to 21-8 and never looked back.

Juniata scored the second set's first five points and an 11-4 advantage grew to a 21-4 lead.  All that the Barons could must was five more points as the Eagles easily won the game to lead 2-0.

Much like the second set, the third frame started in similar fashion with JC scoring the game's first five points. The Eagles lead grew to 11-3 but Franciscan hung tight as it narrowed the deficit to 16-10. That would be as close as the Barons could get as Juniata tacked on five more points to expand its lead to 21-10. Up 24-14, JC got match point on a kill from Brittanie Tannenbaum (Highlands Ranch, CO/Highlands Ranch) to take the match and move on to the next round.

Juniata will play #2 Hope who defeated Franklin and Marshall. The match will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.