Led by a combined 24 kills by senior Patrick Schuyler and freshman Landon Shorts, the top-seeded Stevenson men's volleyball swept fourth-seeded Juniata, 25-13, 25-13, 26-24 as the Mustangs advanced to their third straight Continental Volleyball Conference title match Friday evening at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
The Mustangs (24-7), who have appeared in every CVC Tournament since the league began in 2012, improved to 9-0 at home this season while sweeping the Eagles for the third time this season. It was also the seventh sweep for Stevenson at home.
The hosts recorded a .425 hitting percentage, marking the sixth time the Mustangs have hit over .400. Stevenson, who never trailed in the first two sets, hit a combined .477 during that time.
The Mustangs won the opening five points as the Eagles (10-16) totaled three attack errors. Juniata hit -.032 in the opening set posting just eight kills compared to nine errors. The duo of Shorts and junior Nate Ellis compared for nine kills alone in the set.
Stevenson strung together another five consecutive points in the middle of the frame to build an 18-7 lead before closing the set on two attack errors by the Eagles. The Mustangs also added six block assists in the frame, two apiece by Ellis and freshman Jason Gardner.
The second set began much like the first as the Mustangs won 11 of the first 16 points. Juniata would get within four following two service errors by Stevenson, but the hosts won 13 of the final 18 points. Schuyler had four kills in the set while junior Michael Fehrs had two service aces.
After Stevenson won the opening point of the third set, the Eagles won five consecutive to take a 5-1 lead. Out of a timeout, the Mustangs rallied to take a 10-9 lead but Juniata responded with a 6-2 run to take a three point lead following back-to-back kills by Kyle Seeley.
Trailing 23-20, Stevenson won six of the final seven points, including a service ace by Gardner on match point.
Fehrs finished with three service aces while senior Rob Wingert totaled 34 assists, eight digs, two block assists, a service ace and a kill. Ellis recorded seven kills and five block assists.
Seeley was named to the All-Tournament team after totaling a team-high eight kills on 15 swings.
Stevenson will face the winner of second-seeded Rutgers-Newark and third-seeded Marymount in the CVC Championship match on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
STORY COURTESY OF STEVENSON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE