CSE OPENS THE 2011 CAMPAIGN WITH CEDAR CREST COLLEGE AND WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY.

The Falcons of Cedar Crest took down the Screaming Eagles in 3 sets, 25-13, 25-21 and 25-13.  This was the Eagles' first match and the nerves showed on the predominately freshman squad.  Although CSE showed flashes of brilliance, the inconsistent termination of plays cost the Eagles key points in the middle of sets 1 and 3 and late in set 2.  These key points turned each set to the Falcons' advantage and erased any hopes of an Eagle comeback.

The Eagles were led on offense by freshman outside hitter Katie Cooper who tallied 8 kills while Captains Kareemah Muhammad and Chanice Sears each hit for 5 kills.  Subhana Wrights joined the balanced attack with 5 kills of her own.  Freshman Libero Rachel Hausler was a perfect 30 of 30 in serve receptions and had a team leading 15 digs in the loss.

Next up for the Eagles were the Pioneers of William Paterson University.  Traditionally this has been a lopsided affair with WPU taking control of matches early and never relinquishing control.  Today, however, was going to be a different match.  The Eagles had an opportunity to take each of the 3 sets but key errors down the stretch cost CSE a shot at their first win of the 2011 campaign as they fell to the Pioneers, 25-22,  25-23 and 25-23.

Katie Cooper single-handedly kept the Eagles in the mix with an outstanding 18 kill, 6 dig performance.  Teammate and sister Amy Cooper chipped in 26 assists, 4 aces, 9 digs and 3 blocks.  Subhana Wrights continued her good start to the 2011 season with a 7 kill, 3 block effort in defeat. Rachel Hausler was yet again a major factor in the match,  tallying an ace, digging up 18 attacks and safely receiving 39 of 42 serves by WPU.