HUNTINGDON, PA – Rutgers-Newark senior outside hitter
Nate Stott hammered down 18 kills, but Juniata rallied in each of the final three sets to stop the Scarlet Raiders, 3-1, in the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center.
Juniata 3, Rutgers-Newark 1
Rutgers-Newark (1-6) surrendered leads of 25-23 in the second set, 25-24 in the third and 12-10 in the fourth to turn the match around in favor of the Golden Eagles (3-3). Set scores were 28-30, 30-26, 30-28, 30-27.
Senior middle hitter
Jon Keller and sophomore outside hitter
Marcin Midura tallied nine kills apiece with Keller getting in on eight blocks. Midura came up with a match-high 16 digs, an ace, a solo block and two assisted blocks.
Sophomore setter
Liran Shapiro fueled the Raider attack with 47 assists while chipping in six digs and four assisted blocks. Rookie middle hitter
Mark Kochan added four kills, two solo blocks, three assisted blocks and an ace.
Senior outside hitter Zach Wanner posted a match-high 22 kills on .348 hitting to pace the Golden Eagles. Sophomore middle hitter Ben Wolf hit .471 with 11 kills while junior outside hitter Chris Vrooman contributed 10 kills, two aces and 10 digs for Juniata. Sophomore setter Mike Kraft notched 51 assists and eight digs for the Golden Eagles.
It was Rutgers-Newark which rallied from a 26-22 deficit to take the opening frame. Stott had two kills during the closing 8-2 run and joined Keller for a block to close out the set.
But, Juniata came from behind in the second set despite .346 hitting (13-4-26) by the Raiders. In a match which featured 56 ties and 16 lead changes, the Golden Eagles managed to make the key plays at the right time in the 2-hour battle.
Rutgers-Newark now visits Saint Francis for a 7 p.m. Saturday tilt.