ST. DAVIDS, Pa.--The Eastern University volleyball team defended their home court with two wins Saturday, knocking off both Franklin & Marshall College and Moravian College.

Frankilin & Marshall (2-6) posed more of a challenge to the Eagles, taking them to a four-game match. However, Eastern prevailed 25-15, 19-25, 25-17, 25-18.

Coach Mark Birtwistle said that Franklin & Marshall is definitely a better team than their record shows. He said that while the Diplomats were playing well, his players weren't exactly taking care of their individual responsibilities in the third and fourth sets. He noted that the Diplomats frustrated them a little and they lost their aggressive edge.

He encouraged his team to not just expect to win, but to go out and prove that they can win.

After dropping the third set by eight points, Eastern bounced back in the fourth set with two straight service aces by Maria Horning. The lead bounced back and forth between the teams and the game was tied at 14-14. The Eagles widened the gap and finished the game with a seven-point victory.

In the afternoon match, the Eagles topped the Moravian Greyhounds (8-2) in three sets, 25-14, 25-9, 25-15.  

To start the second set against Moravian, the Eagles zipped ahead to a 7-0 start thanks in part to three service aces by Katrina Pisch.

Eastern outhit Moravian .306 to .020 and also outhit F&M .183 to .101.

Courtney Reinhold led the Eagles with 19 kills against F&M. She also added 10 more against Moravian. Kelly Groff passed the 1,000 career dig mark early in the first match. She recorded 36 digs in the first and 15 in the second.

The Eagles served nine aces in the first and 11 in the second. Maria Horning scored five aces against F&M to go with her 39 assists that match.

Coach Birtwistle said the Eagles have been working more in practice on getting points when it's their turn to serve.

The Eagles travel to Wilkes University Tuesday night for a MAC matchup.