WILKES BARRE, Pa,– With a four match sweep at the Elizabethtown College Invitational last weekend, Eastern University Volleyball moved up three notches to No. 12 the most recent AVCA National poll. Unexpected traffic issues delayed the start of this evening's match at King's. Once the match got started, however, the Eagles (12-2, 2-0 Freedom) adjusted to the delayed timetable and handed the host Monarchs (10-2, 0-2 Freedom) just their second loss of the season.

The Eagles struggled out of the gate with seven errors in the opening set, but pulled away to a 25-20 first set win. Eastern hit just .128 in the opening set. The Eastern hitters terminated points with more efficiency the rest of the way. The Eagles hit .407 in winning the second set 25-13 and a solid .310 in winning the third set 25-15.

Morgan Shemonski led the way for the Eagles with 12 kills. The sophomore right-side needed only 19 swings and hit .579 for the match.

"I think tonight our athleticism took over and we put constant pressure on them to defend and attack." Head Coach Mark Birtwistle stated, "Kings did a nice job of responding early in set one but we maintained our patience and began to earn points."  Birtwistle also pointed to the performance of Sarah Roberts. The first year middle hitter put away six kills on seven swings.

Rikki Schlager had 32 assists, Michelle Paulsen had four blocks, and Rylie Haas led the defense with 11 digs.

As soon as tonight's match ended, the Eagles turn their attention to Friday night's home contest against top ranked and unbeaten Juniata College. With the Papal visit to Philadelphia this weekend, the match has been moved forward a half hour to a 6:30 start.

Birtwistle looks forward to seeing his squad respond to what he says will be the fastest match they have seen all year. Juniata is the lone unbeaten squad remaining in Division III volleyball.

More details about that match will be forthcoming on goeasterneagles in the next 24 hours.