In a nail-biting finish Embry-Riddle secured a hard-fought victory over the Arizona Christian Firestorm with a score of 3-2 on Thursday evening in Prescott, Arizona. 

The match kicked off with a strong initial set, where the Eagles set the pace with a 25-20 win. However, the momentum shifted in the following two sets as Arizona Christian fiercely responded, taking the sets 25-23 and 25-22 respectively. Undeterred, the Eagles rallied back in the fourth set to win 25-19, setting the stage for a climactic final set where they dominated with a decisive 15-9 victory.

Key players significantly contributed to the Eagles' success. Dalia Haase (Tucson, Ariz.) led the attack with 15 kills and was also a major defensive force with 5 blocks. Kelly Hansen (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) added vital offensive power, totaling 15 kills throughout the match. Alexis Creager (Berthoud, Colo.) played a versatile role, delivering 2 kills, 15 digs, 2 aces, and contributing an assist.

The defensive efforts were spearheaded by Lily Figgins (St. Charles, Mo.) with 19 digs, while in serving, multiple players including Figgins and Creager landed crucial aces. The orchestration of the game was expertly handled by Katie Rolle (Missoula, Mont.), who impressively racked up 45 assists. 

Embry-Riddle will be back on the court Saturday when the Spirit from OUAZ visit the Eagle Gym with first serve scheduled for 2pm.