HUNTINGDON, PA – The Nazareth University Men's Volleyball team played three close sets but dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 8 Juniata College Friday night in the first match of three at the Juniata Invitational Tournament.

In the opening set, Nazareth (12-7) ranked No. 15 in the latest AVCA national poll, took a late lead on a kill by graduate student Jonathon Jackson at 21-20 but the Eagles rallied for four straight points to take a late 24-21 lead. The Golden Flyers scored back-to-back points but a final kill gave Juniata (14-4) a 25-23 win.

In the second set, Nazareth scored three straight points late in the set to narrow the score to 21-19 but Juniata scored three of the next four points to surge ahead 23-20. Nazareth scored three os the next four points to trim the lead to a point at 24-23 but another kill by the Eagles ended another close match 25-23.

Juniata pulled ahead midway through the third set with a pair of rallies and led 17-12.

Nazareth scored three consecutive points to narrow the gap at 17-15 but Juniata scored seven straight points to take a 24-15 lead.

The Golden Flyers rallied late for four consecutive points but a service error on the final point gave Juniata the 25-19 win to seal the match.

Jackson and junior Josh Weaver finished with nine kills each to lead Nazareth. Junior Max Stuver had 18 assists while Weaver and senior Owen Wickens had five digs each for the Nazareth defense.