GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Eastern Volleyball is at the high-powered Midwest Invitational for Fall Free Days. In their first match at the tournament the No. 9 Eastern Eagles fell to No. 18 Clarkson University. The loss snaps a seven-match winning streak for the Eagles (20-4) 

Eastern started the opening set with a seven point run and held a 10-3 lead. Clarkson (20-3) hit only .135 in the first set, but the Golden Knights picked up points with five aces late and built a 23-18 lead. Alicia Weigel tallied back-to-back kills to pull Eastern within two at 24-22,  but Clarkson was able to earn a side out point to take the first set 25-22. In the opening set, the Eagles had more kills and a better hitting percentage, but the Golden Knights' serving proved to be the difference.

The two teams battled through a tight second set. Clarkson scored the first four points. The Eagles responded with a quick run of their own to tie the set. As often happens when good teams compete, neither team was able to score on serve for most of the set. The Golden Knights finally managed a scoring run to take a 21-17 lead. With Rikki Schlager serving, the Eagles ansered the run to tie the set at 22.  Clarkson scored the final three points to escape with the 25-22 win and grab a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

The Eagles fell behind in the third set and were unable to mount a rally. Eastern managed only seven kills in the final set. Weigel finished with a match-high 11 kills. Rylie Haas led the Eastern defense with 11 digs.

The Eagles will play Saturday morning at 10 AM against No. 13 Hope College and at two in the afternoon against the tournament hosts Calvin College.