MOSCOW, Idaho – The Eastern Washington University volleyball team opened the 2019 season today (Aug. 30) at the Idaho Volleyball Classic in Moscow, Idaho. The Eagles took on Cal State Fullerton where they fell in three sets (25-14, 25-22, 25-22).
 
"I liked that we improved as time went on and I liked the intensity that I saw. Our team has the passion, it's just about us getting disciplined and better from now on," said head coach Leslie Flores-Cloud. "Catelyn Linke played phenomenal for us on the service line and with attacking on the front row and I thought Nicoletta Capizzi really helped us out in the front row and was fun to watch. Tomorrow, we have to be more disciplined on our side to compete."          
 
Nicoletta Capizzi tied the first set 3-3 with her first kill as an Eagle before the Titans used a 7-2 run to lead 10-5, forcing an Eastern Washington timeout. Following the timeout, Ashlyn Blotzer hammered down a kill and then teamed up with ShaRae Niu for a block to bring the score to 10-7.
 
Cal State Fullerton then used another 7-2 run to take their largest lead of the set, 16-9.
 
Eastern Washington found a spark midway through the set when Capizzi and Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala hammered down back-to-back kills to spark a 4-0 run that also included a strike from Catelyn Linke. The Eagles found themselves within four points, 18-14, when the Titans called timeout.
 
The Eagles lost momentum following the break, as the Titans used a 7-0 run to close the set and Eastern Washington fell 25-14.
 
The second set was closely contested, as the teams went point-for-point and found themselves tied 8-8 early on.
 
Both sides exchanged leads for the majority of the set. With the score knotted up 15-15, it was the Titans who broke away on a 6-1 run to lead 21-16.
 
The Eagles then capitalized on three-straight Titan errors to come within two points. Down 23-20, Eastern Washington used a timeout and Capizzi would emerge with a kill to bring the Eagles within two points once more. However, the strike wasn't enough as the Eagles would end up falling in the second set, 25-22 to go down 2-0 in the match.
 
Catelyn Linke stepped up early, serving up three service aces and a kill within a 4-0 run to give the Eagles an 8-5 lead and force a Titan timeout.
 
Fullerton emerged from the timeout and tied the set 8-8 and later used a 5-1 run to lead 15-11.
 
Down 18-12, the Eagles began to battle back. Three kills from Malie McClure sparked a 6-1 run and put Eastern Washington back within a point, 19-18.
 
The teams would exchange points, but Eastern was never able to come back within two points. Facing set point 24-21, Linke fired off a final attempt with a kill, but the Eagles would fall short and dropped the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.
 
WIN-LOSS RECORDS: Today's match served as the season opener for both teams, as Eastern Washington falls to 0-1 and Cal State Fullerton starts the season 1-0.
 
The Titans now lead the all-time series, 5-3.
 
KEY STATISTICS: The Eagles had 39 kills to Fullerton's 37, but swung at a .143 clip compared to CSF's .252.
 
The Titans totaled five aces to Eastern's three and out-blocked the Eagles six to four. Eastern had 33 assists compared to Cal State Fullerton's 32 and had 54 digs compared to the Titan's 56.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES: Catelyn Linke earned her first double-double of the season, and the seventh of her career, as she led the team with 10 kills and 13 digs in addition to three service aces. She also swung .233 with only three errors on 30 attempts.
 
Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala finished with eight kills followed by Nicoletta Capizzi who had seven. Capizzi swung .350 with no errors on 20 attempts.
 
ShaRae Niu totaled 15 assists and Ana Paula Zandona had 12. Puaoolelagi Sao added 11 digs.
 
NOTEABLES: Seven players made their Eagle debuts, including Ashlyn Blotzer, Nicoletta Capizzi and Ka'ehukaiiha'amaina'e Keala who were in today's starting lineup.
 
The Eagles are now 18-20 all-time in season openers.
 
WHAT'S NEXT: The Idaho Volleyball Classic concludes tomorrow (Aug. 31) with two matches, beginning with a clash with UIC at 10 a.m. followed by Cal Baptist at 4:30 p.m.
 
Both matches will be streamed on WatchBigSky.com and live stats will be available HERE. Additionally, fans can follow @EWUVB on Twitter for live, in-game updates and video highlights.