SELINSGROVE, Pa.– Eastern University Women's Volleyball won in three sets against Eastern Mennonite to salvage a split at Susquehanna University. The Eagles dropped their opener against the host Riverhawks in three.
The Eagles (20-4) hit .354 against EMU (9-9) and held the Royals to only 24 points in the opening two sets. Eastern had 16 kills in the opening set and was successful on 8-of-10 side-out chances. The Eagles were nearly as efficient in the second set.
Grace Casagrande served seven points in the middle of the set to push the Eagles into a 17-8 lead. The Royals scored one point on serve the rest of the set and the Eagles claimed the second set by a 25-12 margin.
Bridgette Kelly served a seven-point run in the third to put the Eagles up 10-3, but EMU rallied and pulled within a point on a couple occasions late int he set.
Natalie Saxton put away a kill for a side-out and a 20-18 lead and then combined with
Jailene Lugo on a block for a 21-18 edge.
Logan Martin and Lugo then delivered kills for a five point lead.
Grace Will delivered a service ace to end the match.
Kelly finished the second match with nine kills on 16 attacks. She also added five aces. Saxton had eight on 13 attacks.
Logan Martin recorded a match-high 11 kills. Casagrande had 16 digs and three aces.
The Eagles built an early lead against the host Riverhawks, but a 14-10 edge turned into an 18-14 deficit as the hosts put the Eagles out of system, put up a big block, and took advantage of scoring opportunities.
The Riverhawks (19-5) rode the momentum of the 25-22 win and claimed the next two sets in decisive fashion. Martin had 12 kills to lead the Eagles. Casagrande had a team-high 19 digs.
The Eagles have a MAC Commonwealth match against York with massive post-season ramifications on Tuesday. The two teams come into the matches two of three teams with a single loss in league play. An Eastern win would put the Eagles in a position to claim the top seed with a home win over Lebanon Valley on Thursday. If York were to win, the Eagles would likely slide to fourth in the league standings.
First serve is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
