ASTON, Pa.--No. 18 Eastern Volleyball improved to 9-1 this season after squelching both Neumann University and Marymount University in three sets on Friday night.

Eastern defeated Neumann 25-16, 25-8, 25-18, and defeated Marymount 25-10, 25-7, 25-15.

The Eagles hit a combined .442 against Neumann and .493 against Marymount.

Eastern's middle hitters Katrina Pisch and Stephanie Elechko were dominant at the net--scoring virtually at will. Neither player recorded an error in either match. Pisch hit .688 in the first match (11 kills in 16 attempts) and Elechko hit .750 (9-for-12). Remarkably, both players hit even better in the second match of the evening, with Pisch hitting .812 (13-for-16) and Elechko .818 (9-for-11). Head coach Mark Birtwistle commented that the Eagles really had their timing down today with Rikki Schlager doing a great job setting. He said that when Eastern has solid passing and timing "other teams are going to have problems with our middle hitters."

Outside hitter Kearby Benak added nine kills in each match.

Today's matches at Neumann marked the first time back in the Merinda Center for the Eagles since they won the NCAA regional final there in 2011.

The Eagles continue their tournament at Neumann Saturday. They face Pitt-Bradford at 11 a.m. and Richard Stockton at 3 p.m.

Neumann Box Score

Marymount Box Score