Kristin Kirwan	Kindler Norman
Megan Monastra	Eryn Boken

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Scranton women's volleyball team fell in a pair of Landmark Conference matches on Saturday and will head into the postseason as the fourth seed in the Landmark playoffs.

The Royals (19-16, 3-3 Landmark) suffered a 3-0 loss to seventh-ranked Juniata (22-3, 6-0) and then dropped a heart-breaking 3-2 decision against the host, Catholic (19-12, 4-2). The defeat to the Cardinals bumped the Royals to the fourth seed, meaning they will face top-seeded Juniata on the road in a Landmark Conference semifinal on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Juniata 3, Scranton 0 – box score

The Eagles held off the Royals in the opening set, 28-26 before posting 25-21 and 25-18 victories to take the match in straight sets.

Senior outside hitter Kristin Kirwan (Park Ridge, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) led the Royals with nine kills, six digs and a block assist. Fellow senior outside hitter Megan Monastra (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) added eight kills, six digs and a service ace.

Freshman middle hitter Eryn Boken (South Pasadena, Calif./Westridge School for Girls) added six kills, a service ace and a block assist, and sophomore setter Kindler Norman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) finished with 28 assists and 12 digs.

Catholic 3, Scranton 2 – box score

Scranton took a quick 2-0 lead with 26-24 and 25-21 wins, but Catholic answered with a pair of 25-22 wins to force a fifth set. The Royals led 14-12, but Catholic knotted the match with two straight points. After the Royals took a 15-14 lead, Catholic scored the final three points to pull out the win.

Kirwan finished with a double-double of 18 kills and 15 digs along with three block assists. Monastra also had a double-double, finishing with 10 kills and 16 digs along with two service aces and a block assist.

Boken finished with 14 kills, three block assists and a service ace, and senior middle hitter Catherine Manning (Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester) had 12 kills and seven block assists.

Norman finished with a career-high 65 assists and 10 digs, and sophomore defensive specialist Regina Schetroma (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) had 21 digs and four service aces.

Scranton will be making its ninth straight Landmark Conference playoff appearance and its 11th in the past 12 seasons.

--ROYALS--