Eastern Volleyball came into the 2010 campaign ranked in the top 20 but with several opportunities to move up in the AVCA National Poll. The 16th ranked Eagles seized the first of those with a four-set win over 5th ranked Colorado College in Colorado Springs this evening. The host Tigers reached the National Quarterfinals in 2009.

The Eastern defense was the determining factor as they recorded 88 digs and 11 blocks to hold the host Tigers over .200 below their season hitting average. Rachel Wenger recorded 13 kills with a match-best .429 hitting percentage.

The Eagles (7-0), who were playing at altitude for the first time, dropped the first set 25-22. They fell behind by five after an early Tiger run and were not able to close the gap.

"Coach told us that the errors were ours," Wenger commented about the first set, "and that if we took care of the errors that the rest would take care of itself." The Eagles hit just .064 with an uncharacteristic nine errors in the first frame. 

Though the hitting still scuffled along in the second set, the Eagles were able to keep the ball alive and began to find other options. With the Tigers throwing multiple blockers at Courtney Reinhold. Maria Horning started to go the other way. The junior All-American had a pretty good option on the opposite side in Wenger. Wenger put down five kills in the set as the Eagles drew level with a 25-21 win.

"They kept staying with Courtney," Wenger related, "and so there was an opening for me. It worked out pretty well." 

With the pivotal second set win, the Eagles seemed to gather all the momentum of the match, and the hosts seemed to grow frustrated. The defense of Kelly Groff (25 digs), Horning (20 digs), and Reinhold (18 digs) kept the play alive, but it also meant that the Eagles would have to score points out of system. Coach Birtwistle credited his middles for really working hard on the block and with keeping balls alive.

Wenger commented on the altitude saying, "It was crazy. One hit and you are out of breath. We just kept working." Eastern won the final two sets in convincing fashion.

While Reinhold finished the match with 18 kills, the junior All-American had to battle to stay in positive numbers against the big athletic block of the hosts. It was, however, her second 18 kill match of the day, in the day's earlier match, a three-set drubbing of Linfield (Ore.) College, Reinhold hit .607. Horning recorded 36 assists in both victories.

With the two wins, the Eagles are all but assured of a spot in tomorrow night's championship match. That match, set to start at 6:00 p.m. local time, will likely pit the Eagles and the Tigers in a rematch. If the game pits the two ranked schools again, there will be a webcast and livestats. Eastern will play Wheaton (ill.) in a 2:00 pm game to conclude pool play.

The win by the Eagles is the second victory by an Eastern team over a top five opponent in the last two days. Field Hockey downed 2nd Ranked Messiah on Thursday. Eastern Women's Soccer will have a chance to make it a trend with a 1:30 game at #3 TCNJ on Sunday.

Box Score Game 1 (Linfield)
Box Score Game 2 (Colorado College)