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Juniata Rounds Out Final Four
Sails Past Coast
Guard to Face Wittenberg
Box
Score
November
16, 2006
SALEM, Va.
– The United States Coast Guard Academy faced off against
Juniata College in the final quarterfinal match of the
Division III NCAA Volleyball Tournament. The Eagles
all-around talent spurred them past USCGA 3-0 (30-16, 30-14,
30-23) to move on to the second semi-final against
Wittenberg University on Friday evening.
Being the
only team in school history to make it this deep in an NCAA
national tournament, Coast Guard was hoping to continue its
record-breaking season with a victory over Juniata. The
Eagles, rated atop the American Volleyball Coaches
Association (AVCA) poll since its initial preseason release,
had other thoughts in mind as they took another step towards
its third NCAA final match in as many seasons.
“I thought
we passed and served better than our opponent,” said Juniata
head coach Larry Bock. “That makes all the difference in
the world.”
With good
passing comes solid attacking. Stephanie Kines, the AVCA
2006 National Player of the Year, sat out the entire third
game but still racked up nine kills. Amber Thomas, also an
AVCA First Team All-American, collected 10 kills and 16 digs
on the night. Setter Beth Kozak dished out 35 assists in
the effort.
USCGA was
led by AVCA Second Team All-American, Nicole Gurr, and her
13 total kills. Christine Rostowfske handed out 23 assists
and averaged 3.3 digs a game.
Juniata ran out to big leads on the way to victory in the first two
games. The Coast Guard made a come back in the third game,
moving out to a 6 to 5 lead early in the frame. The Eagles
righted the ship quickly and took the final stanza on the
way to its match victory.
The Bears
finish the season with a record of 26-3. Juniata improves
to 39-1 record and will face Wittenberg University on
November 17, at 7:00 p.m.
For more
information on the tournament, its teams, and match
specifics, please visit the online home of the tournament at
http://odac.bridgewater.edu/ncaa_vball/.
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