HOBOKEN, N.J.– Eastern University Volleyball overcame a sluggish start to beat the Farmingdale State Rams, 3-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Regional Tournament at Stevens Tech.
Michelle Paulsen had nine kills, three blocks, and three aces to lead the Eagles (30-5) into the second round for the ninth consecutive season.
The Rams stayed within striking distance in the early part of the opening set as the Eagles committed eight errors in the first 25 points of the match. Nonetheless, Eastern still held a 13-12 lead.
At that point, the Eastern offense began to execute. After picking up sideout on a Farmingdale error,
Rylie Haas put the Eagles up three with an ace. The Rams were able to sideout, but
Morgan Kline tipped for a point to keep Farmingdale from earning a point on serve.
With Kline back to serve, Paulsen and
Stephanie Elechko combined for a block and then Paulsen put down two in-a-row to give the Eagles a 19-13 lead and command of the opening set. Eastern did not allow Farmingdale to score a point on serve the rest of the set and won 25-16.
In the second set,
Stephanie Elechko put away nine kills and the Eagles were again efficient in the sideout game. Eastern hit .556 in the frame on the way to a 25-12 win. The Eagles found a decisive five-point run with Haas serving. Farmingdale (19-8) hit .043 in the second set.
The Rams jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the third set and held the lead until the Eagles went up 23-22 on a hitting error late. Farmingdale, in the NCAA Tournament for the first time, answered with a sideout and a point on serve to have a chance to serve for the set.
Elechko put away her match-high 14th kill to tie the set and Kline and Paulsen combined on a block to give the Eagles match point. Haas put the Rams under pressure with the serve, and the final attack of the match hit the antenna for an Eastern point.
Paulsen hit .615 for the match.
Alicia Weigel added ten kills and 11 digs. Haas also had 11 digs. Kline had four kills and 37 assists.
The No. 13 Eagles will face Ramapo College tomorrow at 1:30. Ramapo advanced to the second round with a five-set win over Hunter in the first match of the day.
This is the 15th consecutive opening round win for Head Coach
Mark Birtwistle and the Eastern program. It is also the 12th 30-win season in the last 15 years.
