ST. DAVIDS, Pa.- In the fall of 2011, Eastern University
Volleyball enjoyed tremendous hospitality from the Neumann University
Knights as the Eagles hosted the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament
in Neumann's Mirenda Center. This evening, however, this year's Eastern
team did not reciprocate that hospitality. The Eagles hit .291 as a team
and dispatched the visiting Knights in three efficient sets.
Kearby
Benak put the Knights under pressure almost immediately. Despite
starting the match in a back row rotation, the junior from Houston
registered eight of her match-best thirteen kills in the opening set.
The Eagles kept the Knights under pressure with aggressive serving and
hitting, but Neumann was able to keep things interesting as the Eagles
committed seven first-set hitting errors and several service errors.With
Benak leading the way, the Eagles pulled away to a 25-16 first set win.
The
Eagles service game put the Knights under tremendous pressure in the
second set. Kelly Groff served six straight points early on to put the
No. 20 Eagles (10-2) up 9-1 early, and the Eagles continued to serve
aggressively to cruise to a 25-6 second set win. When the Knights were
able to mount an attack, the Eastern defense was able to find Amy
Guarino in transition and the Eastern hitters were able to hit .300.
Guarino finished with 21 assists.
The third set saw the Knights
side out efficiently in the early going, but three straight service
points from Katrina Pisch put the Eagles up 14-8 and allowed the home
side to side-out the rest of the way for a 25-17 third-set win. Lauren
Sproles finished with nine kills and Katrina Pisch added six. Rikki
Schlager set the final set for the Eagles and finished with 12 assists
and Kelly Groff finished with a match-high 21 digs. Katelin Kulentz and
Natalie George each recorded five kills for the Knights (6-7).
The
Eagles have a few hours to rest before hosting Richard Stockton College
at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The Eagles host Moravian at 2 p.m. The Stockton
match can be seen on Eagle Vision. Prior to the Moravian match there
will be a short ceremony to recognize the 2011 team and their Final Four
season.
Box Score