PHOENIXVILLE, Pa.– Eastern University earned an efficient three-set win at the University of Valley Forge in a final tune-up before heading into MAC play on Thursday. Josiah Cash returned to the court and let the Eagles with 11 kills, four solo blocks,  and a .444 hitting percentage.

Eastern (3-3) jumped to a 9-3 lead in the opening set and cruised to a 25-13 win. Justin Flor put down four balls on five swings and the Eagles hit .364 as a team. The Eagles were able to earn sideout points at a 64 percent rate and put pressure on the Patriots with aggressive serving. Lucas Adam had two aces and Flor had one.

After falling behind 3-0 in the second set, the Eagles scored 15 of the next 20 points and cruised to a 25-14 win in the second. Cash had four kills and Chris Miller had a pair of aces and seven assists. Eastern was a perfect 11-for-11 on serve receive.

Eastern led 20-15 in the third, but a few errors late allowed the Patriots to pull within range at 24-22 before the Eagles earned the win on a service error.

Jeremiah Pha returned to the libero spot after hitting outside while Cash was out with injury. He had a team-high six digs. Andres Suarez Batista moved back to outside hitter and was solid in serve receive.

Tonight's match was the first meeting between the two local programs. 

The Eagles will play five matches this week. Easten will host King's in a league match on Thursday and will travel to Roanoke for a three-match invitational on Friday and Saturday.