NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Throughout the opening day of action, there were signs that this years version of Eastern University Volleyball is going to impress. After taking the opening match of the day against UT-Tyler, the No. 9 Eagles, who played six first year players in the match, fell No. 1 Christopher Newport (2-0).

The early-season match up between 2011 Final Four participants had great promise early. The youthful Eagles stood toe-to-toe with their top-ranked hosts and were within a late side-out of turning the match. CNU managed to hold off the Eastern charge to take the opening set 25-22. The two sides treated the near-capacity crowd with a great defensive rally as the Eagles fought off the first set point of the opening frame, but the host Captains pushed the with the close win.

The Eagles held close through the opening half of the second set before the strength of the Captains and the Eastern inexperience began to show.

"We were right there with them for the first set and a half," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle remarked, "but we stopped pressing back. With a team like that, if you stop pushing back, they are going to run points together fast. We did a really good job of applying pressure early."

The Eagles struggled in serve-receive in the final set and CNU took the final frame 25-14. Kearby Benak (11 kills) Lauren Sproles (10 kills) and Erin Hillman (9 kills) led the attack against the Captains.

In the opening match of the day, The Eagles put the pressure on a young UT-Tyler squad. Benak, a Texas native, worked her way to 14 kills. Sproles finished with 12 kills on only 24 swings and Hillman terminated 11 points in her collegiate debut.

"Our outsides were really good in that match." Birtwistle said, "We have to get our middles more involved in the attack. I hope that comes as we grow in experience."

The Eagles (1-1) are back in action tomorrow afternoon at CNU with matches against Roger Williams and Lasell College.

Match 1 Box
Match 2 Box