IMMACULATA, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Volleyball (7-5) hit .371 in a three-set win at Immaculata University. The Eagles made some significant changes to their attack and responded well as both
Darren Lopez and
Justin Flor registered double-digit assists.
How It Happened:
After dropping their last match at Cairn, Coach Syracuse looked to get more hitters active and decided to switch his team from 5-1 set to a 6-2. The first formation has two three rotations with a setter in the front row and only two active hitters. In a 6-2, the setter is always a back-row player. Lopez, normally an outside hitter, moved to the right side and played opposite
Justin Flor. The two split setting duties nad gave the team a strong right-sided attack in every rotation. Lopez hit .467 with seven kills and no errors and Flor hit .400 with nine kills.
The changes gave the Eagles a balanced attack with more options.
Foster Lobb still led the Eagles with 10 kills, but the rookie was able to do it on only 22 swings. Lobb had 13 digs and
Trey Miller had six kills and 12 digs. Sam Christie led Eastern with four blocks.
Eastern won the first two sets 25-13, but needed to fight off a set point in the third set. Lobb delivered the kill to earn the sideout and tie the set at 24-24 and
Noah Westbrook served the final two points. Christie and Flor combined for a stuff block to set up match point and Lobb banged home an overpass to end it.
Bryce Wiltbank led Immaculata (2-7) with six kills.
Coach Syracuse Says:
"Though this change gave us two relatively new setters, it also gave us a strong right side attack. Both guys were great locating their sets to the left and right sides . We still need more work locating our middles, especially in transition, but we definitely made progress tonight. Justin responded with a solid night attacking. Darren hit with great vision and control."
"In the third set we got a little sloppy and had some communication breakdowns but came through in the end. Tomorrow will be a higher-level test, but we feel ready for the challenge up at Wilkes."
Up Next:
The Eagles are at Wilkes for a MAC contest tomorrow evening.
