Embry-Riddle moved to 5-4 on the season after dropping two tough matches at the OUAZ Invitational. ERAU lost to Carroll College 3-0 in their first match and finished with a 3-1 loss to #15 Montana Western.
Game 1
Each of the three sets was determined by a narrow two-point margin between the Eagles and the Fighting Saints. Carroll secured the first set with a score of 26-24, edged out the second at 30-28, and clinched the final set again at 26-24.
Reflecting the final scores, the match was closely contested from beginning to end. No team had a lead greater than three points at any time during the day. ERAU outperformed Carroll in the first set, achieving a team hitting percentage of .224 while limiting the Fighting Saints to .185. In the second set, the Fighting Saints' offense surged, hitting .267, marking the highest percentage achieved in the match.
For Embry-Riddle,
Dalia Haase (Tucson, Ariz.) led the team in kills with 12, followed by
Hannah Clear (Fort Worth, Texas) and
Katie Rolle (Missoula, Mont.) who each finished the match with nine.
Hie Loui (Honolulu, Hawaii) contributed three aces, 20 digs, and three assists.
Game 2
ERAU's offense struggled in the second match of the day as the Eagles struggled to find a rhythm.
In the first set, Embry-Riddle quickly found themselves down to the Bulldogs 11-2. After a timeout, the Eagles continued to battle. ERAU trailed by ten points for most of the set, however with the score at 23-15, the Eagles rallied off six straight points to get back into the game. The final score of set one was 25-23 in favor of Montana Western.
The second set was much closer throughout as there were three lead changes and multiple ties. The Bulldogs won set two 26-24.
Embry-Riddle was down late in the third set as Montana Western held a 22-18 lead. Haase and Rolle each had two kills down the stretch that propelled an ERAU run and the Eagles won the set 28-26.
The final set of the day went to the Bulldogs 25-18 as Embry-Riddle was unable to use their momentum to force the fifth set.
Haase led the offense again finishing with 15 kills.
Emma Barber (Goodyear, Ariz.) had three blocks in the second match and Rolle had 40 assists.
ERAU will head to Missouri next to play in the Park Classic hosted in Parkville Missouri on September 6th and 7th.
