CAMBRIDGE, Mass.– Eastern University Women's Volleyball split a pair of non-league matches in Boston. In two matches at MIT, the Eagles earned a three-set win over Worccester Polytechnic Institute before falling to the fourth-ranked hosts in the nightcap. Grace Casagrande had 29 digs on the weekend.

After dropping the opening set 25-15 to MIT, the Eagles (14-6) found their rhythm and played with the unbeaten Engineers throughout the second. The Eagles were within a point at 22-21 on a big kill from Hannah Pringle. An MIT sideout and a point on serve put the Eagles in a tough spot. Pringle put down her sixth kill of the set to close the gap to 24-22, but the Engineers (20-0) finished off the set with an efficient serve-receive point. Eastern hit .182 with 14 kills in the second set, but the hosts were just a little better with a .286 hitting percentage and 16 kills.

Eastern led 19-15 in the third, but aggressive serving from the MIT libero put the Eagles in some out of system moments and the hosts showed their quality as they rolled off nine-straight to grab control of the final set. Three of the Engineer's four aces came in the final stretch of the third set. Pringle had seven kills in the third set.

"I thought the team competed well against MIT," Head Coach Mark Birtwistle said after the match. "We had some long rallies where both teams defended and attacked efficiently. It was fun to watch.  MIT is well-coached and disciplined and they are having a great year."

In the MIT match, Pringle finished with 17 kills and Casagrande had 18 digs. After teh weekend, Casagrande sits at 1996 career digs. With four more, she will join Rylie Haas '17 as the only two Eastern players to reach 2000 career digs. 

Eastern hit .248 as a team against the WPI Engineers. Elle Jiron-Bujanda finished with 33 assists, and Logan Martin put down 12 kills on only 21 attacks.

The Eagles rode early leads in the first two sets to 25-17 and 25-19 wins before pulling away with Viiviana Fragoso serving in the third set. The Eagles finished the match with 41 kills and 11 aces. Bridgette Kelly had 10 kills and four blocks.

The Eagles will host Alvernia in Hope Venture Dig Pink game on Wednesday. The Eagles will be raising money to show care for those who are fighting Breast Cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and to learn more about Hope Venture by clicking the attached link or coming to the game.