WOUNDED EAGLES COME UP SHORT DESPITE GUTSY EFFORT

CSE walked into the Panzer Athletic Center on the campus of Montclair State University to face off against the Red Hawks in a non-conference match but the Eagles were without the service prowess of Captain Amy Cooper who is nursing a shoulder issue.  Cheyenne Grant took over the rein of the offense in 4 rotations and the Eagles fought hard against a hard-hitting MSU squad but succumbed in the end by a 24-26, 13-25, 18-25 score as the Eagles drop to 5W-3L.

The Eagles had an opportunity to surprise the Red Hawks early in set 1 as CSE took the lead at 7-6 after a MSU hitting error but MSU settled in and took a lead midway through the set at 16-13 after a kill out of the middle. Montclair continued pressuring the Eagle defense and at 23-19, it looked like the Eagles were through.  CSE went on a 5-1 run however, which featured an ace and kill by Kiana Cunningham and a kill by Cheyenne Grant, to knot the score at 24.  The Eagles run fell short however as MSU got a key free ball error from the Eagles which was followed by a kill out of the middle to close out the set 24-26.

The second set saw the Eagles struggle to find their rhythm early and hitting miscues along with a very efficient Red Hawk attack put the set out of reach for the Eagles 13-25.

The third set opened poorly for the Eagles as MSU jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead but the Eagles kept on chipping away at the lead and tied it up at 6 behind a Nicole Morera kill.  At 8-8, MSU went on a 4-0 run that opened a lead they would hang on to for the remainder of the set.  The Eagles tried to respond but never got within 3 points again as MSU and CSE traded points for most of the remainder of the third set and the Red Hawks closed it out 18-25.

The Eagles were led by Subhana Wrights who posted 8 kills and hit .235 while adding 2 blocks.  Kiana Cunningham chipped in with 6 kills and hit .120 while also putting up 2 blocks.  Katie Cooper had a team high 13 digs in the loss.  

CSE hosts William Paterson and Rosemont College this Saturday (11am and 3pm) and Valley Forge College on Sunday (1pm) to close out the week.