ATLANTA--For the first time this season, Eastern University Volleyball has experienced the agony of defeat. The No. 5 Eagles succumbed to the No. 4 Emory University Eagles in four sets, 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 13-25.

As a team, Eastern recorded a .162 hitting percentage while Emory notched a .320 hitting percentage for the match. "I can't believe the games were as close as they were with them hitting .320 and us hitting .162,"  Coach Mark Birtwistle said.

For Eastern, three players put down double digit kills. Sophomore Kearby Benak led the team with 14 kills, senior Courtney Reinhold added 12 kills and freshman Lauren Sproles made 11 kills. Setter Maria Horning contributed 39 assists and 11 digs while libero Kelly Groff led the team with 20 digs.

"It was a fantastic volleyball match for the first three games," Birtwistle said. "It was back and forth; two very good teams battling it out with each other. They were pounding the ball and we were pounding the ball. We won the second game on a couple big plays at the end, a couple of big digs. They did the same in game three. Game four was a bit of an anomaly. Everything was going right for them and we just lost some confidence."

Birtwistle mentioned how good a team Emory is. "Emory was in the national championship with this same team," he said. "They didn't lose anybody. They have a great coach and they're used to playing with each other. We played right with them; I thought we played great. Outside of that last game it was a terrific match, a high-caliber volleyball match."

Kearby Benak and Courtney Reinhold received All-Tournament honors.

"Kearby is a kid that plays without any fear," Birtwistle said. "She's a sophomore but she plays pretty mature. She's capable of competing with them because of her competitive toughness."

After the loss, Birtwistle reminded the team that they played right with Emory. "They've got to feel good about where we are so early in the season," he said. "There's a ton of things we have to work on, but we know we know we can play with this caliber team."

Prior to playing Emory, Eastern defeated Birmingham Southern, 25-15, 25-15, 25-21. Courtney Reinhold converted 15 kills with a .500 hitting percentage.

Eastern takes on Delaware Valley College at in a home-opening Freedom Conference contest on Wednesday at 7:00.