Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 POTSDAM, N.Y. – The Roger Williams University Women's Volleyball team earned a split in its first two matches of the 2016 season, falling 3-0 (9-25, 11-25, 16-25) to #3 Juniata College before earning a 3-1 (15-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17) win over Central College (Iowa).
 
Juniata utilized a quick attack from a number of angles to keep the Hawks guessing and were able to keep the mistakes to the minimum in a three-set sweep in the second match of the North Country Season Opener. The Eagles offensive blasted from numerous spots in the first set, hitting .560 with just a single error in 25 swings, not allowing Roger Williams to get in much of a rhythm. Though the offensive pace for the Eagles cooled in the second and third sets (.333 and .400, respectively), it was more enough to pick up the victory.
 
For Juniata, Nakita Gearhart struck for nine kills while Megan Moroney and Suzanne Gloeckler each contribuged eight kills. Kelly Reynolds delivered 33 assists and Katie Byrne contributed 21 digs. Megan Conger also recorded three aces for Juniata. The Hawks were led by Kristen Boyer's (Ephrata, Pa.) five kills, and Emiley Melillo (Seattle, Wash.) had 12 assists. Maria Batas (Merrick, N.Y.) reached double figures with 10 digs.
 
In the second match, RWU stormed back from an opening set loss to grab three straight wins to earn their first victory of the season. After committing ten attack errors in the first set and hitting a negative percentage, the Hawks found their offensive rhythm and hit over .200 in each of the final three sets.
 
Boyer and Sarah McAniff (Redding, Conn.) each finished with nine kills and two service aces. Batas led the Hawks with 15 digs, while Julia Fields (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) went for 30 assists.
 
Roger Williams (1-1) will compete in the second day of the Clarkson University Invitational tomorrow against St. Lawrence and SUNY Oneonta.
 
- Additional information courtesy of the Clarkson University Sports Information Department