YORK, Pa.- Eastern University Volleyball stretched its winning streak to 12 matches with a pair of wins to open the York Invitational on Friday. Kearby Benak paced the Eagles with 14 kills against Rowan in the 5 p.m. match, and Lauren Sproles pounded 15 kills in a three-set win over the hosts in the nightcap.

Eastern jumped on the Profs early in the early match. The No. 19 Eagles hit .379 in a 25-12 first-set win and came back with a .433 effort to take the second set 25-15. While Benak led the way against Rowan, Eastern Head Coach Mark Birtwistle identified several other strong efforts from his squad. 

With Katrina Pisch missing the match at a funeral, Kaitlyn Gochenauer stepped in for eight kills and three blocks. The Eagles finished the match hitting .358. Kelly Groff had a match-best 12 digs.

Eastern again jumped to an early advantage against York. The Eagles pounded fifteen kills against only a pair of errors for a .394 hitting percentage in a 25-10 opening set win. 

York battled back from a large early deficit in the second set, but the Eagles were able to side out for a 25-18 second set win. Eastern won the third set by an identical 25-18 margin. Sproles had a match-best 15 kills and Amy Guarino added 37 assists.  Benak finished with 20 digs, and Groff had 18 to lead the Eastern defense.

 The Eagles (15-2) play have secured a spot in the 4 p.m. Championship match against the winner of the other pool. Prior to that, Eastern will finish pool play against Centenary College.

Rowan Box
York Box