April 13, 2006

Stats

Huntingdon, Pa. -

Dan Kick became Mercyhurst's all-time assist leader, but it was not enough as Juniata (13-11) picked up a five-game win over Mercyhurst (3-20).  The senior finished the match with 3,467 career assists.

Game scores were 35-33, 30-22, 20-30, 25-30 and 15-12. 

The Lakers dropped the first two games before mounting a comeback to nearly steal a road win in their season finale.

Nate Keegan notched a match high 18 kills and 20.5 points.  Tim Wagner had 15 kills and 17.5 points.

Kick also led the Lakers with nine blocks.  He was not the only Mercyhurst player with a large blocking total.  Dave Newman notched seven blocks in the match as the Lakers posted 30 blocks as a team. 

In game one, Mercyhurst trailed 29-25, before rattling off a 6-1 run to take a 31-30 lead.  The teams battled back and forth from there before Juniata grabbed a hard fought 35-33 win.  Kick had 14 assists in the game, leaving him

Game three saw the Lakers down two games to none.  But Mercyhurst hit .400 in the game and committed just four attack errors.  Mercyhurst trailed 10-9 before outscoring the hosts 21-10 to close the game.  A Keegan kill that made the score 25-19 in favor of the Lakers gave Kick his 3,451st of his career and the school record.

After Mercyhurst forced a fifth game, Juniata regrouped and took control to take the decisive 15-11 final and the match.

Kick broke the old assist mark of 3,450, held by Greg Beato (1998-2000).  He also finishes with 65 service aces, fourth all-time at Mercyhurst. 

Keegan also entered the record books.  With 634 career kills, he rates fourth in school history.  His 44 career service aces rate fifth in school history.

Nate Ocasio led four Eagles in double figures with 17 kills. Jeremy Barndt had 15, Matt Springer notched 14 and Matt Fritz chipped in with 13.  Matt Werle had 55 assists.  Juniata also served up 10 aces in the match.

Mercyhurst will enter the MIVA Tournament as the #6 seed. The Lakers will play at #3 seed Ball State on Saturday, April 22, at 7:00pm.