ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Volleyball claimed a ninth-consecutive MAC Freedom Championship with a convincing, 25-15, 25-16, 25-18, win over the visiting DeSales University Bulldogs. Sophomore middle hitter Sarah Roberts put away 16 kills and had five blocks to earn Championship MVP Honors.

The Bulldogs (23-13) arrived in St. Davids for the post-season for the ninth time in nine years. Eastern entered the MAC Freedom in 2008. DeSales won the league title in 2007 and claims the distinction of being the only program to take a set off the Eagles in conference play. With four players on the MAC Freedom All-Conference first team and some success in extending sets in Center Valley earlier this year, the visitors looked poised for an upset.

The Eagles hit .357 in the opening set to grab early control of the match. Seniors Stephanie Elechko and Alicia Weigel set the tone early. Elechko, the MAC Freedom Player of the Year, had seven kills, four digs, and two aces while hitting .583. Weigel put away five of her nine kills in the first set. DeSales hit a respectable .105, but the Bulldogs spent most of the first set in transition as the Eagles served aggressively.

DeSales was within two points at 13-11 in the second set before the Eagles jumped into a pattern of sideout-score a point. DeSales scored three points on serve in the second set. The Eagles were perfect in their sideout game over the final 12 points of the set. Roberts made her presence felt with five kills on seven swings in the second set.

"It was good to see Sarah be big in a big game," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle said. "She has hit a high percentage against all the top teams on our schedule and we were able to get her the ball today. [It's a] Credit to Morgan [Kline] for getting her the ball when we had the chance."

the third set turned when Weigel went back to serve with the Eagles leading 10-8. After Roberts put away a ball to go up 11-8. Weigel then delivered two consecutive aces and Elechko and Roberts combined to block Morghan Shoemaker. Elechko put away a kill to make it 15-8 and force a DeSales timeout. 

Weigel continued to put the Bulldogs under pressure and Elechko put away her 18th kill of the match. Roberts then buried balls on consecutive over-passes to put the Eagles up 18-8 and effectively put the match on ice. Roberts had kills for the final points of the match for the Eagles.

DeSales hit a very respectable .262 in the third set, but the Eagles scored three points on Aces and only had three hitting errors.

Elechko finished with a match-high 19 kills. Morgan Shemonski added five blocks, and Morgan Kline had 41 assists. Weigel finished with nine kills and 15 digs. Rylie Haas had 13 digs.

Jenna Sievert led DeSales with nine kills. Natalie Gray had a match-high 17 digs.

The Eagles will wait to hear the location of their NCAA Regional this coming weekend.