GLENSIDE, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Volleyball dropped a 3-1 decision at Arcadia in a rare Thursday night match. After dropping the opening set 26-24, the Eagles (12-8) bounced back with a tough 25-23 win in the second set. The host Knights finished with 16 blocks to stymie the Eastern attack and earn the win.
How It Happened:
Both sides put together runs in the opening set, but the match settled in and tied at 20-20. From there, the teams used good passing and efficient offense to trade sideouts until before Arcadia finally earned a point on serve to go up 24-23. The Eagles earned a sideout on big kill from
Caroline Shelby, but the Knights answered back with a kill and a point on an error to win the opening set.
Ally Spillane and
Caroline Shelby each had four kills in the opening set.
Despite running into some great defense at the net, the Eagles were able to pull away to a 20-17 lead when
Katie Stenby served for three points. The Knights found a three-point run late to tie the score at 23-23, but Shelby tipped for a kill and a sideout and Spillane served for the set.
After struggling with passing and hitting a negative number in the third set, The Eagles played with the Knights and held a 20-18 lead in the fourth. The Knights erased that lead with a kill for a sideout and a service aces. Arcadia's Lauren Enfield served the final six points of the match.
Shelby finished with 15 kills, but was the victim of numerous Arcadia blocks. Spillane and
Cecilia Bauer each had 11 kills.
Katie Stenby had a match-high 24 digs.
Coach Birtwistle Says:
"I thought we played a pretty solid match tonight and had a chance to push a good team to five sets. Unfortunately we didn't end the match with the execution that allowed us to be successful. Out defense did a better job tonight against a good hitting team.
Up Next:
After playing an alumni match on Saturday morning, the Eagles host three matches next week. They can clinch a home match in the first round of the MAC Freedom Tournament with a positive result in Wednesday's match against Delaware Valley. They will host Rowan and Widener in the three-way match on Saturday.
