HUNTINGDON, Pa., February 3, 2007 - Springfield College sophomore All-American Ryan Fredrickson (Manahawkin, N.J.) led the fifth-ranked Pride for a second straight match, this time totaling 10 kills and four digs, but it wasn't enough as top-ranked Juniata College snapped SC's six-game winning streak, 3-0, this evening in a non-conference match at Memorial Gymnasium.
The Pride falls to 6-4 overall on the season and remains 1-0 in Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Hay Division play. The Eagles improve to 3-1 overall on the season by winning with game scores of 30-20, 30-23, and 30-22.
Juniata featured a balanced offensive attack in the contest as four players reached double figures. Nate Ocasio paced the Eagles with 14 kills, with three others all finishing with 10.
Juniata's defense at the net was the story of the match, and the Eagles used it to jump out to a big lead early in game one. A double block from Jeremy Barndt and Glenn DeHaven helped Juniata build an early 11-6 advantage. A kill from junior outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Chili, N.Y.) and a block assist from Palumbo and sophomore middle blocker Andy Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) cut into the lead, but Juniata got another block from Barndt and Matt Werle to push the lead to six points as the Eagles pulled away for the victory.
The home team moved out to a comfortable lead midway through game two, but a kill from freshman setter Eric Shoemaker (Mount Wolf, Pa.) followed by a Sipe ace cut Juniata's lead to 22-19. The Eagles answered with two kills, however, from Dan Powers along with a double block from Powers and Matt Fritz to take control of the game.
Game three was close most of the way as Palumbo produced a kill to put SC within three at 24-21. But Ocasio answered with a kill and then consecutive double blocks from Barndt and Werle helped Juniata close out the victory.
Palumbo added seven kills, a team-high five digs and a team-best three blocks for the Pride. Junior setter Chris Shekell (Rochester, N.Y.) and Shoemaker compiled 13 and 11 assists, respectively, and Sipe recorded three blocks.
SC looks to get back to its winning ways on Tuesday evening, February 6th, when the Pride travels to Sacred Heart University for a 7:00 p.m. EIVA Hay Division match-up.
With seven national championships to his credit, Charlie Sullivan will enter his 15th season as head coach of the men's volleyball team in 2013. In 14 previous years at the helm, Sullivan owns an overall record of 224-155 for a .591 winning percentage. Read more.