SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 24, 2006 – Springfield College sophomore outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Rochester, N.Y.) led all players with 13 kills to go along with five digs, but it was the No. 6 Pride which fell to the top-ranked Juniata College Eagles, 3-0, this evening at Blake Arena.

The Pride falls to 9-13 overall on the season as it remains 7-3 in Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Conference-Hay Division play despite playing the visiting Eagles (8-9, 3-6 EIVA-Tait) to three close games.

The opening game of this match was neck-and-neck the entire way, with Juniata edging SC in the end, 34-32. In the second game, the Eagles once again got the best of the Pride, 30-26, before defeating SC in the third game (30-25) for the sweep.

Juniata was led by sophomore outside hitter Matt Fritz with 12 kills on 26 swings with just three errors for a .308 hitting percentage. Fritz also registered a team-best 10 digs in the win to go along with five blocks. Junior outside hitter Nate Ocasio chipped in with 11 kills, seven digs, two service aces and two blocks.

Despite the loss, Pride freshman outside hitter Ryan Fredrickson (Manahawkin, N.J.) collected 11 kills on the night and a team-high 10 digs while also adding five blocks. Freshman middle blocker Andrew Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) recorded a match-high 10 blocks on the night.

SC will next host the University of New Haven tomorrow night (March 25) in a 7:00 p.m. start at Blake Arena.

published: 03/24/2006