Top-Ranked Juniata Eases Past Gophers

TOWSON, Md. - Two-time defending NCAA Division III national champion and No. 1 Juniata College eased past Goucher College for a 3-0 Landmark Conference women's volleyball victory in the conference opener Friday night at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.  Set scores were 25-7, 25-8, 25-10.

• Goucher (0-12, 0-1 Landmark) scored the first point of the match before the Eagles (12-0, 1-0) reeled off nine straight points.
• An Alex Dzhygit kill ended the Juniata run.
• Juniata hit .423 in the opening set.

• The Gophers trailed 4-3 before the Eagles ran off seven straight points to go up 11-3.
• Another 7-0 run was stopped by back-to-back kills by Imani Ward and Dzhygit.

• Goucher was down 5-4 in the third when Juniata scored five straight points to go up 10-4.
• A Lucille Hendricks kill and an Athena Savick service ace cut the lead to 10-6.
• The Eagles gradually pulled away, going up 20-9 after a 5-1 run.

• Juniata won its 74th straight match dating back to 2022.
• Dzhygit led the Gophers with five kills on .267 hitting.
• Savick registered 12 digs, with Vivian Huddleston, Hendricks and Madi Kraemer each adding four.
• Huddleston also notched seven assists.

• Goucher returns to action Saturday at noon when it hosts Lycoming College in a Landmark Conference match at the Decker Sports and Recreation Center.