CENTER VALLEY, Pa.– In a rematch of nine of the last ten MAC Freedom Championship Matches, Eastern University started from behind and was never able to fully recover in a four-set loss at DeSales. The host Bulldogs handed the Eagles just their second league loss since joining the MAC Freedom in 2008.
How It Happened:
Eastern (7-2, 0-1 MAC Freedom) struggled to pass early in the opening set, and DeSales jumped to 4-0 lead and eventually 14-9. The Eagles closed the gap to 14-11 before DeSales scored seven of the next eight points to grab full control of the set. Eastern hit only .086 in dropping the opening set 25-15.
The Bulldogs (6-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom) again scored the first four points of the second set. The Eagles kept the gap around four points, but was only able to carve any deeper into the deficit when the Bulldogs reached set point. In trying to be aggressive, the Eagles struggled in the service game with five errors in losing the second set 25-22.
The Eagles started from behind again in the third set and finally grabbed their first lead in a set on a
Caroline Shelby kill to make it 17-16 in the third. Easten hit .233 in the third and pulled away to a 25-19 in the third.
DeSales led 4-1 in the fourth. The Eagles were unable to score while serving and were never able to take the lead in the fourth. DeSales built a seven-point lead and held on for the match.
Michelle Paulsen and
Ally Spillane each had ten kills and
Caroline Shelby had 16. Paulsen had her ten kills with no errors with only 24 swings. Her .417 hitting percentage was a bright spot on what was otherwise a very disappointing evening. With four blocks, she is now withing two of the Estern career record held by Kate Adams.
Coach Birtwistle Says:
"We seemed to be chasing and behind in the entire match. One highlight was Shelly's continued success in the middle. Ten kills with no hitting errors and four blocks was a solid night. We'll get back to work this week to get ready for our weekend at Stevenson."
Up Next:
The Eagles will play two matches against Rutgers Camden and Stevenson at Stevenson on Saturday.
