Volleyball finishes 1-1 at Juniata Tri-Match

The Muskingum volleyball team finished 1-1 at the Juniata Tri-Match on Saturday. The Muskies beat Eastern 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-20) and battled fourth-ranked Juniata in a three-set thriller before slipping 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-20). With the split, the Muskies, who received votes in the latest AVCA Top 25 Poll, now stand at 11-2 overall.

Game 1

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (11-1 Overall), Eastern (9-4 Overall)
• Location: Memorial Gymnasium – Huntingdon, Pa.

How it Happened

• Muskingum got off to a hot start, grabbing a 25-17 first set win over Eastern.
• The Muskies rode their momentum into the second frame, jumping out to a quick 15-6 lead. Muskingum used their early cushion to cruise to a 25-15 win in set two.
• Not looking back, the Muskies handed Eastern a 25-20 loss in the third frame to secure their ninth straight set win of the season.

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies were led by juniors Raegan Flood and Lexie Huck who tallied seven kills each.
• Senior Emma Conrad filled up the stat sheet with a game-high 24 assists, as well as nine digs and four kills.
• Freshman Quinn Horn registered six kills and a team-high 11 digs for the Muskies, while senior Emma Dunham and junior Khloe Taylor each tallied five kills.
• Sophomore Addison Gingrich chipped in nine digs for Muskingum, while freshman Alana Alexander notched eight digs.
• As a team, Muskingum totaled 34 kills, 29 assists, 48 digs, and six service aces.

Game 2

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (11-2 Overall), #4 Juniata (10-1 Overall)
• Location: Memorial Gymnasium – Huntingdon, Pa.

How it Happened

• After falling behind 5-0 to open the game, Muskingum battled back to knot the score at 17 apiece. However, Juniata used an 8-1 run to close the opening frame and claim the 25-18 win.
• Set two saw both teams play back and forth for the entire frame. Despite Muskingum leading 24-23, Juniata used a 4-1 run to secure a thrilling 27-25 win in the second set.
• Juniata secured their straight set win in the third set with a close 25-20 victory over the Muskies.

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies were led by juniors Lexie Huck and Khloe Taylor with eight kills each.
• Senior Emma Conrad dished out a team-high 28 assists, while also adding four kills and five digs.
• Freshman Quinn Horn notched six kills and a team-high 16 digs, while junior Raegan Flood chipped in four kills.
• Senior Gracie Collins added 13 digs for Muskingum as well.
• As a team, Muskingum totaled 33 kills, 29 assists, and 46 digs.

Up Next

• The Muskies hit the court next when they open Ohio Athletic Conference play at 11th-ranked Otterbein on Wednesday, September 28. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start. Fans can secure their tickets ahead of the game or on-site by purchasing them online at the Otterbein official ticketing page found at https://otterbeincardinals.com/sports/2021/3/23/online-ticketing.aspx or via the HomeTown Ticketing mobile app available through the App Store or Google Play. Tickets are $8 for adults, and children 7-and-under are free.