With 15 kills and two service aces from junior Rachel Iaquaniello, the Eastern Michigan University volleyball team took a 3-0 victory against the Idaho Vandals on Sunday, Aug. 28th, at the Shamrock Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
With the 25-19, 25-23, 25-21 win, the Eagles are 2-1. The Vandals are 1-2.
Iaquaniello had seven digs and two kills. Sophomore Erin Short added nine kills for the Eagles along with 10 digs.
Senior setter Ashley Mason put up a game-high 36 assists while senior Cassie Sowers turned in three aces. Sophomore Carolyn Steger chipped in with two blocks and six kills and senior Haley Stein had a team-high 17 digs.
The Eagles got off to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening set. From that point on, they did not look back, taking the set 25-19. Mason had 13 assists and three kills in the set.
After dominating the second set and coming out with the 25-23 victory, the Eagles found themselves on the other side of the coin in the third set.
The Vandals got off to an 8-3 lead before a kill by sophomore Paige Roback sparked the offense and after four consecutive points, the Eagles pulled to 8-7.
The Vandals would score one more point before the Eagles took control and went on to a 25-21 win.
Sunday’s match was the final of three for the Eagles. The Eagles dropped the first match 3-1 (30-32, 25-19, 17-25, 14-25) to Notre Dame, but they were able to bounce back and take their next match against the Butler Bulldogs, 3-2 (25-23, 17-25, 11-25, 25-23, 17-15).
The Eagles will prepare for their home opener, which is scheduled at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.
