ST. DAIVDS, Pa.– Eastern University Volleyball hit an efficient .323 on the way to a three-set MAC Freedom win over the visiting FDU-Florham Devils (17-4, 3-2 MAC Freedom). The Devils had won 13 straight games coming into tonight's match-up of the two teams tied for second in the conference. Michelle Paulsen led the way for the Eagles with a career-high 18 kills.

The Devils led 5-3 in the opening set before Ally Spillane stepped back to serve. The Eagles reeled off eight points with Spillane starting the action.

"Ally does a really good job serving," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle said after the match. "Some of that has to do with where we are in the rotation, but she gets other teams out of system with her serves. We scored 14 points with her serving tonight."

Though the Devilsl pieced together a 5-1 run late, the Eagles held that edge and won the opening set 25-20. Caroline Shelby had six of her 14 kills in the first set. Paulsen had four kills on ten swings and a couple blocks int he first set.

The Eagles (15-9, 4-1 MAC Freedom) hit .389 in winning the second set 25-17. Paulsen again led the way. The junior middle put away six balls on only eight attacks. Miranda Kauffman had seven of her 15 digs in the second set. 

"It's something we talk about all the time," Birtwistle said of setting the middle hitters. "It's a combination of things, but we need our passing to be on to be able to do that. Morgan [Kline] was able to get them the ball in transition."  Sarah Roberts hit .364 with five kills out of the middle as well. 

The Eagles trailed 6-2 in the third set before Paulsen put away three-straight kills and Cecilia Bauer scored for another point to tie the frame. Eastern led 12-11 before reeling nine of the next ten points to pull away to a 21-12 lead. Sydney MacDaonlad served for a pair of points and Miranda Kauffman served for five in the run. Paulsen picked up her fourth block of the match and 99th of the season in the run.

Eastern earned sideouts to close out the match 25-16. Paulsen had eight kills in the final set.

In addition to her serving, Spillane led the Eagles with 16 digs and added eight kills. Morgan Kline had 46 assists.

The Eagles have nearly a week off leading into their match at King's next Tuesday.