CSE ROARS PAST TIGERS IN THRILLING 5 SET MATCH

The Screaming Eagles faced off against the SUNY Cobleskill Tigers in the 2nd NEAC match of the weekend and seemed to struggle at the outset of the match. CSE jumped out early with a 2-1 lead. The Fighting Tigers from Cobleskill came right back however, taking a 12-5 lead. After a serious of unforced errors by Cobleskill, the Eagles found themselves trailing 19-15. The Eagles could not overcome the deficit, dropping the set 25-16

Trailing 4-3 in the second set, freshman Kiana Cunningham had back to back beautifully placed spikes to give the Eagles their first lead of the game at 5-4. After a back and forth set, the Eagles found themselves tied at 10-10. Ireyah Stevens managed  to spike the next point of a Cobleskill defender, giving the Eagles the lead. The set continued to go back and forth with each team trading points. Down 24-19, the Eagles earned the next 3 points before losing the set 25-22.

CSE did not waste time jumping out to a lead in set 3.  Katie Cooper not only continued her stellar digging play, but also contributed while serving to jump the Eagles out to a 5-1 lead.  The Eagles continued to pour it on with a total team effort.  Cheyenne Grant had 3 straight service points to put the Eagles in front 11-5. CSE continued putting pressure on Cobleskill, forcing them into 2 straight errors, and a 21-11 Eagles lead.  The Screaming Eagles continued to apply pressure, closing out the set with a 25-17 set 3 win.

The Eagles kept the momentum going in the 4^th set, jumping out to a 4-3 lead. Stevens continued her clutch play at the net, blocking a spike from Cobleskill and pushing the Eagles lead to 9-5. CSE just kept applying the pressure, rallying off 4 of the next 5 points causing Cobleskill to call a timeout.  Stevens continued carrying the Eagles with block after block at the net. Her presence alone caused Cobleskill to make unforced errors around the net.  The Eagles lead ballooned to 20-10 with the entire team contributing on both offense and defense. Despite a rally by Cobleskill, the Screaming Eagles held on to win the fourth set 25-18 and square the match up.

In the decisive fifth set, the Eagles quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead.  Thanks to the great serving from freshman Nicole Morrera, CSE built their lead to 6-2.  The Screaming Eagles continued their ferocious comeback, extending the lead to 8-4 halfway through the final set.  Ireyah Stevens once again dominated at net with a fantastic spike giving the Eagles a 10-4 lead.  The Eagles continued the pressure, getting to match point before taking down Cobleskill 15-10 in the final set.

Cheyenne Grant led the team with 40 set assists. Kiana Cunningham added 19 digs to help the Eagles to victory. The comeback marks the first victory in the NEAC for CSE and improves their overall record to 12-15 on the season.