WILKES- BARRE, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Volleyball ground out a tough five-set win over the host Wilkes University Colonels to improve to 2-1 in the MAC. After dropping a 27-25 decision in the fourth set, the Eagles started the fifth set with a 6-1 lead and held on to win 15-10.

How It Happened:
After winning the first and third sets, the Eagles (8-5, 2-1) had a pair of match points up 24-22 in the fourth set. The Colonels executed out of a timeout and earned a sideout and scored two points to lead 25-24. The Eagles tied the set at 25, but Wilkes was able to sideout and score for the win.

The first point of the fifth set was an epic back and forth rally. After both teams picked up several balls that looked destined for the ground, Justin Flor finally found the floor with a booming hit down the line. Wilkes leveled the score with a sideout, but the Eagles built the 6-1 lead with Noah Westbrook serving. Samuel Christie and Flor combined for a stuff block and Westbrook served an ace in the run.

The Eastern lead grew to 9-3 on a pair of kills from Darren Lopez, and the game then just became about earning enough sideouts to win. The Eagles actually scored twice on serve to earn the win. The first came on a solo block from Lopez and the final point came on a Westbrook ace.

Eastern hit only .207 in the final set, but strong defense at  the net and on the court kept the Colonels to only .032.

For the match, the Eagles had seven more kills and nine more errors and actually hit a lower percentage. The Eagles outscored the Colonels 108-107 in the match.

Flor had a triple-double with 12 kills, 22 assists, and a team high 18 digs. He also had two aces and three blocks. Lobb had 16 kills and 13 digs, and Lopez had 26 assists and 11 digs. He was part of five blocks.

Samuel Christie had 12 kills and four blocks and Trey Miller had 16 digs.

Coach Syracuse Says:
"A gut check win against a strong opponent. We are happy to get a road conference win this early in the year. We stayed with the 6-2 offense and again received solid performances from Justin and Darren both in setting amd attacking.  When we needed big plays they both came through time and again. They both had BIG blocks as well."

"Sam was solid throughout. He was really good in the fourth set. Unfortunately, we let it  slip away. Foster had a great night passing and digging to go along with timely attacking."

"A highlight came early when the smallest player on the court Trey Miller roofed the tallest player on the court in the first set. We will have spring break to get some recovery and gear up for the bulk of the conference season."

Up Next:
The Eagles are off until March 11 when they host Neumann.