HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Coming off its first Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) championship and NCAA Tournament berth, the No. 8 Juniata College men's volleyball team can keep the celebration going.  Third year head coach Kevin Moore and freshman Matt Elias (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) were named CVC Coach and Rookie of the Year, respectively.

Moore led Juniata to its first back-to-back 20-win seasons.  The Eagles have gone 22-2 against conference opponents during his tenure.  Moore was also named EIVA Coach of the Year (2011) during his inaugural season at the helm.

 "I think the award is a recognition of the accomplishment of the team," Moore said of the honor.  "This isn't an individual award.  This is a team award.  I think this award also shows the impact of Pat Shawaryn on the program.  He put together the defensive scheme for the team this weekend and we were really able to contain Carthage's offense."

Shawaryn is the assistant coach on the squad.  A 2004 Juniata graduate, Shawaryn has been with the program for three years.

Elias took over the running the Eagles offense midway through the season.  The setter is ranked nationally in assists per set and averages 11.39 in league play.  He has also had a presence at the net, recording 40 blocks this season.  Elias earned a career-high 57 assists in the Eagles semifinal win over Carthage and was named tournament MVP.

"Matt really matured throughout the year," said Moore.  "He came in and put in a lot of time, not just at practice, but in the gym.  Once we switched from the 6-2 to the 5-1, he put in time with the hitters outside of practice.  His ability to get the right guy, the right ball, in the right situation was the difference in our team's late season push."

With an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, Juniata will face Rivier in the quarterfinals on Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. All three of the final rounds will be held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from April 25-28.

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