The AU volleyball team remained undefeated in the Patriot League after a 3-2 victory at Army Sept. 30 and a 3-1 win at the College of the Holy Cross Oct. 1.
AU overcomes deficit at Army
The Eagles (11-9, 4-0) recorded a come-from-behind victory in five sets against the Black Knights (12-5, 3-1) Friday after losing two of the game’s first three sets. AU’s victory came by set scores of 21-25, 25-18, 17-25, 27-25 and 15-11.
AU put forth a strong offensive effort with five teammates recording double-digit kills. Juliana Crum led the offense with 18 kills, while Rebecca Heath and Sara Rishell each had 12.
The defense was just as strong with Crum earning 18 digs and her third consecutive double-double. Monika Smidova, Megan Rosburg and Heath tallied 10 digs each, while Rishell led the team with two solo blocks and four block assists.
The Eagles were able to tie the match at 1-1 after improving their team hitting percentage from .154 in the first set to .424 in the second. But AU’s hopes dropped again after giving up the third set 25-17 with its hitting percentage at .125.
With Army serving for the match in the fourth set, Heath’s kill knotted the game at 25 apiece. The senior outside hitter would then notch another kill moments later to give AU the 27-25 victory and force a do-or-die fifth set.
Two key blocks by Rishell helped AU begin the final set with a 6-1 lead. The women held an 11-4 advantage following a block by Kelly McCaddin and Crum, before Morgan Hendrix’s kill on match point ended the game to give the Eagles an important 3-2 triumph.
AU extends winning streak at Holy Cross
The Eagles pushed their winning streak to six after a 3-1 win at Holy Cross Saturday, winning by set scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-27 and 25-17 to improve to 4-0 in the Patriot League.
AU took the first set with a .464 hitting percentage, marking the first time in three games the Eagles won the opening game. After a close second set saw the Eagles prevail 25-23, the Crusaders (6-13, 2-2) were able to avoid the sweep by earning a 27-25 third set victory. The Eagles wouldn’t let a second straight game go the distance, as AU took the fourth set 25-17 by hitting .500.
Rishell led the team with 20 kills and a .679 hitting percentage, while McCaddin produced 14 kills and hit .464. Crum continued her success by registering her fourth straight double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs, and Rosburg recorded a team-high 17 digs.
Also on the defensive side, Hendrix and McCaddin each generated four block assists while Heath tallied two solo blocks. As a team, AU recorded 59 digs on the afternoon.
The Eagles will look to remain undefeated in the Patriot League Oct. 6 when they take on the Navy Midshipmen.
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