Edinboro, Pa.-- The Edinboro University Volleyball team protected their home court and won two out of two on Saturday. In the first match of the day defeated East Stroudsburg University (25-16, 25-18, 25-21). In the final match the Scots earned another win over West Virginia Wesleyan College (25-10, 25-13, 25-16). Edinboro exits the tournament with by going (3-0) on the weekend and now stands at (9-2) overall.
In the first match of the day, Edinboro opened things up in the initial set with a strong performance including 16 team kills on a (.400) hitting clip. After an attack error from the Warriors, the Scots led 12-4 early. Moments later three-straight points from Edinboro, including a kill from Jessie Michel put the Scots up 22-11. Finally, a kill from Bella Burrelli would retire the set for Edinboro.
The second set's theme was surrounded by the strength of Edinboro's defense. The Scots recorded six of their ten kills in the second set. Midway through the set Edinboro built a comfortable 12-6 lead after a kill from Erica Sharp. The Scots sealed off the second set with three-straight points. Two kills from Burrelli and an ace from Alicia Eldredge retired the set at 25-18.
In the final set Edinboro was focused upon finishing off the Warriors of East Stroudsburg. Midway through the set, a kill from East Stroudsburg would tie things up at 14-14. Edinboro countered with six-straight points, including kills from Natalie Pallone, Sharp and Eldredge as well as block assists from Michel and Sharp. Edinboro began to coast with their lead while the Warriors fought to stay alive let in the third set. Five straight points from East Stroudsburg cut Edinboro's lead to just 23-21. The Scots prevailed with back-to-back kills from Sally Sterkel and Pallone to retire the set and complete the match.
Natalie Pallone finished with 14 kills on a (.480) hitting percentage and three blocks on defense.
Bella Burrelli finished with 11 kills on a (.296) hitting percentage, as well as eight digs and three blocks on defense.
Alicia Eldredge contributed 31 assists and 11 digs.
In the second and final match of the weekend Edinboro continued with their efficient offense and dominate defense. The Scots finished with 36 kills and a (.309) hitting percentage. On defense, Edinboro held the Bobcats to a (.000) hitting percentage and forced 23 errors.
In the first set Edinboro jumped out of the gate and grabbed an early 7-0 lead off of the service from Alicia Eldredge. The early run was fueled by two kills each from Bella Burrelli and Natalie Pallone. The Scots capped off the first set by scoring four-straight points off kills from Jessie Michel and Erica Sharp, as well as an ace from Pallone. Edinboro's (.625) hitting clip led them to a 25-10 first set win.
In the second set the Bobcats continued to fight and swapped lead changes with the Scots early on. An Edinboro service error had the Bobcats only trailing 8-10. The Scots countered five-straight points, including three-straight kills from Sally Sterkel and a kill from Sharp. Late in the second set, block assists from Kasey Smith and Pallone would seal up the set.
Going into the third set, Edinboro was eager to complete their second sweep of the day. Early in the set, a kill by Sofia Guerrero would spark another run for the Scots. Edinboro was up 9-4 after block assists from Sharp and Eldredge. Later a kill from Smith and an ace from Burrelli put Edinboro ahead 21-11. The Scots retired the set with a kill from Sharp that was assisted by Abigail Soboleski.
Edinboro will be back in action on Tuesday night when they host D'youville College at 6 p.m.
