ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Volleyball earned a pair of wins on emotional day of volleyball. The Eagles (12-1) beat both Rowan and Goucher in three sets. The three teams met between the first two matches of the tri-match to recognize Rowan Head Coach Deana Jesperson and a milestone in her battle against breast cancer.

"We were proud to celebrate Deana today," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle said. "I thought all the teams were mindful of her and, while supporting Unite For Her. We wanted to acknowledge the fight that Deana has made over the past five months and celebrate the end of Chemo. Deana gave Maggie [Catherina]  the opportunity to be a head coach and has been one of my best friends for more than 25 years. We were more than happy to make today about her!"

The Eagles aggressive serving was the difference in the first set against the Profs (6-3). Rowan erased a 22-17 lead in the opening set and were on the front foot, but a stuff block from Elle Jiron-Bujanda and Bridgette Kelly stopped a five-point run. Kelsey Bradshaw delivered a critical ace for a 24-22 lead. Rowan earned a side-out, but Logan Martin was able to terminate to lift the Eagles to a first-set win.

Bradshaw started the second set at the service line. The first-year defensive specialist ripped off three more aces in helping the Eagles to a 6-0 lead. The Profs briefly closed the gap to four points at 11-7, but a three point scoring run from Grace Casagrande put the Eagles up by a comfortable margin and they went on to win 25-15. Eastern hit .375 in the second set.

The third set looked quite a bit like the second. Only with Rowan serving first, it was Jiron Bujanda who who ripped off three aces on the way to a 6-1 lead. Logan Martin served for five points and a 12-3 lead and the Eagles never looked back on he way to a 25-17 win.

Rachel Curran and Jailene Lugo each finished with nine kills. Lugo, playing in the middle, got her nine kills on only 12 attacks. Martin finished with eight kills and four aces and Grace Casagrande tallied 11 digs.

Rowan beat Goucher in three sets in the middle match. Goucher is coached by Catherina a former Rowan player and assistant coach.

The Eagles hit an astounding .507 in overpowering Goucher int he finale. Lugo led the way with nine more kills on only 10 swings. The Eagles finished with 40 kills and only five hitting errors. Much of that came from solid passing and an aggressive serving game that gave the Eastern team chances to attack in system. Jiron Bujanda had 25 assists and Ashley Thorsted finished with 10. Casagrande led the Eagles with eight digs and Kelsey Bradshaw had four more aces.

The teams wore pink in warm-ups and raised money for Unite For Her, which is an organization that supports women in battles against Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Jesperson spoke after a short video about the importance of early detection and the incredible support she has received from Unite For Her.