ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting Juniata, ranked 14th nationally in the latest Division III rankings, defeated Nazareth Friday in three efficient sets in a first-round match at the Nazareth Invitational. Scores were 25-18, 25-12, 25-15.

Nazareth, at 3-4 overall, plays twice Saturday -- vs. Geneseo at 3 p.m. and vs. Fredonia at 5. Juniata will play a 1 p.m. match against RIT and a 5 p.m. match against Geneseo
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The Eagles banged out 40 kills in the three sets in 92 attempts for a .283 hitting percentage. Fifteen of those kills came in the opening set as the Eagles steadily pulled away. Leading 16-15, Juniata benefitted from a couple of Nazareth attack errors and a service ace from Sydney Ohl to go up 19-16. Aly Reardon completed the set with four of her match-best 10 kills with three kills apiece for Lily Podolan and Kennedy Christy.

Freshman Tessa Grover finished with seven kills for the match with four coming in the opening set. Junior outside Kaylee Kelly added six kills with three in the opening set. Olivia Quick added five kills and McKenzie Hart amassed 11 digs.

Juniata dominated sets two and three with the attacks evenly dispersed. Setter Olivia Foley had 27 assists for the Eagles and libero Kiona Sky Rousset had 13 digs.