CHENEY, Wash. — The Eagles (4-8, 0-2) faced a tough challenge in their conference home opener, falling to Sacramento State (9-6, 2-0) in four sets (23-25, 23-25, 25-21, 16-25).
 
Despite the loss, Quincy Moran and Kalista Lukovich stood out offensively for the Eagles, each contributing 11 kills, with Lukovich securing her fifth double-double of the season. On defense, Makenna Collins led with an impressive 21 digs.
 
The match began with Eastern showing promise, highlighted by a block from Bri Gunderson and Alyssa Radke. However, Sacramento State quickly responded with a 5-0 run, establishing an early 5-2 lead. After an initial timeout from Eastern, the Eagles managed to tie the set at 16-16, only to see the Hornets regain control and clinch the first set 25-23.
 
In the second set, the teams exchanged points until Eastern, behind a service ace from Kate Hatch, tied it at 5-5. Sacramento began to pull away, leading to Eastern using both of their timeouts. Despite a valiant effort, including a challenge win and a block from Gunderson, the Eagles couldn't overcome the Hornets, who took the second set 25-23 after a late rally.
 
Eastern came out strong in the third set, gaining an early lead and forcing Sacramento to use their timeouts as the Eagles extended their advantage to 16-11. After a brief surge from the Hornets, Eastern maintained their composure to take the set 25-21, aided by back-to-back aces from Lukovich.
 
Unfortunately, Sacramento State dominated the fourth set, racing to a 7-0 lead and forcing Eastern to call an early timeout. Though Gunderson managed to break the momentum with a kill, the Eagles struggled to close the gap and ultimately lost the set 25-16.
 
Up Next
The Eagles will hit the road to take on Idaho on Friday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. in Moscow, Idaho.
 
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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