HAVERFORD, Pa. -- Eastern University Women's Volleyball topped the Vassar College Brewers in four sets to earn a split on the final day of the Haverford Invitational. The Eagles dropped the morning match int he three sets to the hosts but bounced back with a solid offensive performance against the Brewers (1-3). 

How It Happened: 
Coming back on short rest, the Eagles jumped out to a 14-3 lead on strong serves from Morgan Kline and Caroline Shelby. Later in the set, Ally Spillane dealt three aces in a row to put the Eagles up 22-7. Vassar put together a late rally to close the gap in the first set, but Caroline Shelby put away one of her 16 kills in the match to give the Eagles the first set. 

The Eagles built an early lead in the second set, but the Brewers tied the score at 13, and the teams traded sideouts until the Eagles built a 24-21 edge on a pair of points with Cecilia Bauer at the service line. After a Vassar sideout, Morgan Kline capped the set with a tip for the 25-22 win.

The Eagles trailed midway through the third set but built a 24-20 lead. The Brewers fought off four match points and forced the fourth set with a six-point run.

The Eastern attack responded in the fourth set. Eastern put away 15 kills with only two errors in hitting .464 on the way to a 25-15 win to end the match. Shelby and Bauer each finished with 16 kills. Kline finished with 31 assists, and Spillane had ten kills, four aces, and three blocks. Spillane and Shelby each earned spots on the All-Tournament team.  

After falling 25-20 in the opening set to Haverford (4-0), the Eagles hit a negative number in the final two sets to drop their first match of the season. 

Coach Birtwistle Says:
"I am happy about the results from the opening weekend. Overall, the team played well together and overcame several deficits to collect three wins."

"Parts of our game need some work, but that's what opening weekends are for.  Our strength will be our attack so when our passing becomes second-nature, we'll have more opportunities to score."

"Congrats to Caroline and Ally for making the All-Tournament team."

 Up Next
The Eagles will play a pair of matches at Messiah College next Saturday. Eastern will play McDaniel at 1:00 pm and the hosts at 3:00 pm.