Box Score

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Sophomore Jessica Cortese (Lancaster, PA/Hempfield) knocked down a team-high nine kills and collected seven digs as Gettysburg fell to fifth-ranked Juniata 30-17, 30-17 and 30-20 in the semifinals of the NCAA Mid-Atlantic regional volleyball tournament on Friday.

The top-seeded Eagles (31-4) will face No. 2 seed King's (Pa.) in the regional championship match on Saturday at 7 p.m. King's knocked off third-seeded Eastern 3-1 in the night's first semifinal match.

Lauren Boyd (Millersville, MD/Severna Park) dished out 26 assists and added eight digs while Nicole Barr (Annapolis, MD/Broadneck) posted seven kills and 10 digs for the Bullets (24-14).

In game one, the Juniata scored eight straight points thanks to two kills from Carli Dale for an 8-1 lead. Two aces by Lauren Beasley sparked a 5-0 run to give the Eagles a 17-7 edge.

From there, Juniata cruised to a 30-17 win for a quick 1-0 lead.

Riding the momentum from game one, the Eagles jumped out to a 16-9 lead in game two, forcing the Bullets to take their first timeout.

The Eagles extended their lead to 28-15, before a kill by Erin Wisor and a Gettysburg attack error game Juniata a 2-0 advantage.

The Eagles went up 14-7 in the final set. The Bullets pulled within three points thanks to four kills by Barr to make it 18-15. Juniata held onto its lead and wrapped up the match with a 30-20 win.

Jayme Massey (Springfield, PA/Meron Mercy Acad.) and Erin Barkdoll (Dover, PA/Dover) each tallied four kills while Michelle Dorsch's (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) collected eight digs on the night.

NCAA Mid-Atlantic Semi-Final Round
Juniata d. Gettysburg, 3-0 (30-17, 30-17, 30-20)

Gettysburg Leaders: Kills: Jessica Cortese 9, Nicole Barr 7. Assists: Lauren Boyd 26. Digs: Barr 10, Michelle Dorsch 9, Boyd 8. Aces: Boyd 1, Jayme Massey. Blocks: Massey 1, Barr 1, Cortese 1.

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