In an expected tight match versus Culinary Lady Steels, the outcome of the match was predicated on CSE's ability to return serve, convert on offense and prevent the Lady Steels of Culinary to find their 2 main offensive weapons. For the most part, the Eagles were able to serve receive well (2.09 rating), run offense (39 kills), and, in effect, shut down 1 of Culinary's offensive weapons. However, unforced hitting errors and service errors proved to be the deciding factor as the Eagles gave away 44 points (34 hitting errors and 10 service errors) in the match.
Set #1 started off as well as the Eagles could have hoped for. The team stormed out to a 7-3 lead, extended that lead to 15-8 and never looked back as the Eagles took the set 25-20. Kareemah Muhammad continued her amazing Saturday with a 6 kill - 1 error performance out of the outside (.500 efficiency) in the first set to pace the offense. The team was also perfect in terms of service receptions (18/18) led as usual by Rachel Hausler's 11/11 passing (2.44 rating).
The 2nd set, however, was a mirror opposite of the first set as it unfolded. The Eagles trailed 7-3 early and 7-12 but stormed back to tie the score at 15 behind the serving of Katie Cooper and offense of Kareemah Muhammad. After the Lady Steels extended the lead to 23-19, many fans at the Nest probably thought that the set was over but, true to the way the Eagles have played all year, the players never stopped believing the could come back and behind the serving of Jenae Goodson, CSE stormed back to within 2 at 24-22 but couldn't overcome the deficit and fell 25-22.
The 3rd set began much the same way the prior set did with the Eagles trailing early and having to fight back into the match. Down 12-4, the Eagles mounted another furious comeback behind the serving of Libero Rachel Hausler who forced the Lady Steels offense to sputter and collapse as the Eagles in a matter of 5 minutes had cut the lead to 2 at 12-10. But then, adversity hit the squad. Rachel sprained her ankle to the point that she could not continue in the set. Luisa Solano came off the bench to spell Rachel and promptly aced out the Lady Steels to bring CSE to within 1 but the Lady Steels were able to break serve and without Rachel in the match they exploited the vulnerable CSE serve receive and pushed the lead back up and controlled the set at 21-13.
A hobbling Rachel Hausler came back into the match in the midst of this run then and, although limited in movement, was able to stabilize the serve receive and defensive patterns immediately and the Eagles created good offensive opportunities but were unable to convert. The Eagles continued to battle and crawled back to within 3 at 23-20 going on a 7-2 run, but couldn't climb all the way back, dropping the set 25-20.
In the pivotal 4th set, defensive and serve receive adjustments were made due to Rachel's injury that put the pressure on Misato Oya, Ibby Sesay and Katie Cooper to cover more of Rachel's passing area. The Eagles seemed to get an emotional lift from having Rachel on the court but still struggled to put the ball away and fell behind yet again 10-4. But the heart of this team is not to be questioned as they stormed back to take the lead behind the serving of Rachel and the offense of Katie Cooper and Captain Chanice Sears who combined for four kills in a 8-2 run that saw the Eagles tie the score at 12. Jenae Goodson continued to put on pressure from the service line as she tacked on a few more aces and put the Lady Steels on their heels as the Eagles jumped out front 15-13.
Perhaps it was the result of the immense amount of energy the Eagles expended coming back in three sets or perhaps it was the Lady Steels hitting the zones Rachel Hausler could not physically cover anymore but regardless of the reason, the Eagles began to commit errors at this juncture that cost them dearly. From 15-13 on, Culinary went on a 10-4 run that saw the Eagles commit 4 hitting errors and 1 service error. Meanwhile, Culinary hit for 5 kills to CSE's 2 and it sealed the Eagles' fate as the team lost the set and match 25-19.
Another great gutsy effort by the Eagles in the end, showing great resolve and a no quit attitude that is exemplary and bodes well for the future but ultimately the Eagles know that they squandered an opportunity to get within 1 game of .500 for the season.
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