(Posted October 13, 2007)

OSHKOSH, Wis. - Top-ranked Juniata College rebounded nicely from a tough first day at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational, and won matches over #9 Carthage College and #5 UW-Oshkosh to capture the tournament championship. The Eagles began the day by winning their pool with a 3-1 win over Carthage, with game scores of 30-24, 30-22, 25-30, and 30-24. That victory put Juniata straight into the title game, where it dispatched the host Titans 3-0, with game scores of 30-21, 31-29, and 30-27. Sophomore Megan Lamens (Schellsburg, Pa./Berlin Brothersvalley) was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with junior Amber Thomas (Ephrata, Pa./Conestoga Valley), who also earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Thomas led the Eagles offensively with 17 kills in the championship match against UW-Oshkosh, while Erin Albert (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) had four blocks and two service aces. Megan Sollenberger (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) finished the UW-Oshkosh match with 30 digs. \"We played much better today, in what was a weekend of really good competition,\" said Juniata head coach Larry Bock. \"It exposed the things we aren\'t doing real well, and that was usually our blocking. When we aren\'t blocking well, things aren\'t so good for us; when we are blocking, things go well.\" Bock was also pleased with the overall offensive performance, especially that of freshman setter Steph Strauss (Penn Hills, Pa./Penn Hills), who started all four matches this weekend in place of injured junior setter Beth Kozak (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon). "Steph settled down today and really did a terrific job of maturing as a setter in the space of 20 hours, and getting the right hitters to be a little more productive,\" said Bock. Juniata returns home this week with a tough slate of home matches. The Eagles will host 11th-ranked Haverford College on Wednesday, Oct. 17, followed by matches against 13th-ranked Cal State-East Bay and 8th-ranked University of La Verne as part of the Wid Guisler Invitational tournament on October 19-20.

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