SIOUX CITY, Iowa – In a must win match with No. 6 Viterbo University at the 2019 Volleyball National Championship Presented by Delta Hotels, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) lost in a hotly contested match that went to four sets, 25-19, 27-25, 18-25, 25-18.

ERAU (28-7) struggled with the Hawks (33-5) stifling defense in the first set and it showed in their hitting percentage. The Eagles struggled and hit at .028 with 10 kills but with 9 errors. The Hawks simply were too efficient for the Eagles as they completed the set hitting at .222 with 14 kills.

In similar fashion as their opening match the Eagles took the second set into deep waters. ERAU attacked better than their opponents in the set coming in at .281. Both Caylee Robalin (JR/El Paso, Texas) and Erin Clark (JR/Phoenix, Ariz.) gave the Eagles four kills in the set but couldn't get the Eagles over the hump.

ERAU performed terrifically in the third set and limited their errors. ERAU came down with 14 kills and hit at an astounding .370 clip. Clark was the dominant force in the set, getting eight kills on her own. Elisa Pauzer (JR/Campinas, Brazil) contributed three kills in the set as well as they beat the Hawks by seven.

The fourth and final set did not start the way the Eagles wanted as they fell behind 11-3. That deficit would prove to be insurmountable. To say the Hawks were efficient is an understatement as they hit at .515 and made only three errors. Robalin did her best to get the Eagles back in it but even her five kills could not do the job.

Once again, Audrey Baldwin (SR/Santa Barbara, Calif.) was the centerpiece of the Eagles offense who hit at .230. She finished with 48 assists and two service aces. Pauzer and Julia Kjenstad (SO/Tacoma, Wash.) provided some strength at the net combining for six block assists.

ERAU will play their final match of pool play tomorrow at 1:00 pm MST against Ottawa University (KS).