On paper, it looked like a mismatch. The two-time defending Freedom Conference champion Eastern University volleyball team remained at #5 in the national rankings for the second week in a row was hosting an undermanned Manhattanville College Valiant squad that had yet to win a game in the Conference this year. Though All-American setter Maria Horning missed the match in order to rest an injury, the contest played out very much as expected as Kelly Groff stepped in to set and the Eagles won in three quick sets.

Groff moved the ball efficiently in the first set, but strong service games from Kelle Stonesifer and Madison Goldbachkept the Eagles in a rotation for much of the first set. Kearby Benak and Mary Poole took advantage of the extra time in the front row to put down four and three kills respectively. All-American outside hitter Courtney Reinhold was stuck in the back row for much of the first set, but she still managed to put down all three of her hitting attmepts. Eastern won the opening set 25-5.

Reinhold played the opening few points in the second set before being replaced for the rest of the evening.The Eagles featured a balanced attack the rest of the way. Poole finished the evening with five kills on nine attempts, and Benak led the way with 11 kills and a .550 hitting percentage. 

The Eagles were able to apply enough pressure with a strong service game to stay in system for most of the night, and they hit a solid .417 as a team. Groff fiinished with 28 assists. 

Eastern (19-1, 4-0 Freedom) will have eight days until they play again. They return to action at Misericordia on October 13th. 

Box Score