BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Eastern Washington University volleyball team opened up the Canisius Invitational with a straight set loss to Charlotte on Friday (Sept. 8). Ashley Seiler had 21 kills to rank third in program history for kills in three sets, but it wasn't enough as the Eagles fall to 1-6 on the season. The 49ers improve to 7-3 overall.
Eastern led 6-3 in the first set, but Charlotte strung together a 5-0 run to pull ahead 8-6. The 49ers kept a slight advantage for most of the set. Down 17-14 the Eagles came back on a 4-0 run that included kills from Alexandra Espinosa, Sieler and Catelyn Linke in addition to a service ace from Emma Dunn to lead 18-17. However, Charlotte stormed back with five consecutive points and was eventually able to capture the first set 25-20.
Charlotte held a slight 10-7 advantage in the second set and the Eagles were able to tie it up thanks to two kills from Seiler. The Eagles battled and kept the 49ers' lead to just two points for most of the set. Back-to-back kills from Espinosa and Seiler late in the second set put them within one, but Charlotte was eventually able to reach set points. Down 24-21, Linke came up with a kill to keep Eastern alive. An attack error from the 49ers put EWU within one, but a service error gave Charlotte a 25-23 victory.
The two sides battled point-for-point early on in the third set. With the set tied at 11-11, the 49ers were able to break away on an 8-1 run. From there, it was all Charlotte as they were able to string together consecutive points to keep Eastern away as they went on to claim set three 25-15 and the match 3-0.
NOTEABLES: Ashley Seiler garnered 21 kills in just three sets to rank third in program history for most kills in a three-set match. The senior also hit at a season-high .364 clip. The 21 kills were her second most this season and it marked the seventh straight match that she led the Eagles in kills. It is also the sixth match that she has compiled kills into the double digits and she was two digs shy of her fourth double-double of the year.
Regan Harr completed her second double-double of the year, and the second straight match, as she dished out 24 assists and 10 digs.
Catelyn Linke led the team with a career high 15 digs. Harr, Seiler and Dunn each added a service ace. Megan LaFond had 11 digs, her seventh match reaching double digits.
NEXT UP: The Eagles return for the final day of the Canisius Invitational tomorrow (Sept. 9). EWU faces Bucknell at 9 a.m. PT before playing the hosts Canisius 3 p.m. Eastern's match against the Golden Griffins can be watched on ESPN 3.
