(Posted April 14, 2003)

Huntingdon, PA - After helping the Juniata College men's volleyball team earn its first EIVA Division III championship since 1999, Neil Lukas (Fairport, N.Y./East Windsor, N.J.) was recognized as the American Volleyball Coaches Association national Division III player of the week. Lukas was also named the EIVA Division III player of the week for his efforts.

Lukas played a big role in Juniata's run to the EIVA Division III Championship last weekend. In the semi-finals, Lukas scored on 14 kills, 3 aces and 4 blocks in a 3-1 win over NYU. Against the Violets, he finished with 6 digs and a .600 hitting percentage. In a 3-1 championship-match victory over Springfield, Lukas again had 14 kills. To go along with his offense against the Pride, the senior provided defensive production bringing up 10 digs and contributing with two blocks. For the tournament, Lukas averaged 3.50 kills/game, 0.38 aces/game, 2.00 digs/game, and 0.75 blocks/game.

Heading into play at the Molten Championships, Lukas ranked at or near the top of the team in several statistical categories. He leads the team in digs and is only 13 digs away from moving into the school's all-time top-five in that category. Lukas is tops among the regular attackers in hitting percentage and ranks second in aces, third in kills and fourth in blocks. His total blocks and hitting percentage are career bests, and his is well within range of setting new career highs in kills and aces.

With Lukas playing a key role, Juniata enters the Molten Division III Championships as the No. 1 ranked team in Division III according to the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The Eagles are the No. 1 seed, and are looking to capture the Molten Championship title for the second time in the program's history.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.