Canton, Ohio -- On the first day of the Hall of Fame City Challenge, the Edinboro volleyball team went two-for-two as they defeated both Malone University and Bloomsburg University. The Fighting Scots now await Saturday's slate with Davenport University and Notre Dame College.
In the first match of the day against Malone University, the Scots would win in three quick sets (30-28, 25-21, 25-19). Edinboro's attack gave them a strong, the Scots average over 17 kills per set on a (.252) team clip.
In the opening set an early lead from Edinboro had the Scots ahead 10-5 after a kill from Erica Sharp. The lead didn't last as the Pioneers came back after five-straight points and only trailed 16-17. Later in the match an attack error from Edinboro would give Malone a 20-19 lead. Suddenly, after continuous back and forth, Edinboro pulled away and closed the set 30-28. Sharp came away with two huge back-to-back kills to retire the opening set. Edinboro recorded a season-high 20 kills in the first set.
The second set started with more back and forth battles between the Scots and Pioneers. Edinboro would strike first with a 7-2 early lead behind the service of Bella Burrelli. Malone then bounced back with six-straight kills and grabbed an 8-7 lead. Edinboro ran away with it late in the set after four-straight kills, as they retired the set with a 25-21 victory.
The story of the third set became Edinboro's efficient attack. The Scot's recorded their best hitting percentage of the match in the final set with a (.317) clip. Two strong runs by Edinboro built the lead up to 24-14 after a kill from Natalie Pallone. The Pioneers held on through the match point and scored five-straight. Eventually Edinboro slammed the door after a Malone attack error, which concluded the match 25-19.
Sharp finished with a team-high 13 kills on an efficient (.591) clip and added one solo block on defense.
Alicia Eldredge recorded a game-high 36 assists, along with 13 digs and six kills.
Sally Sterkel finished with 11 kills on an efficient (.450) clip and added two block assists.
In the second match of the day against Bloomsburg University, the Scots would win in three quick sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-12).
In the first set Edinboro held a comfortable lead 16-12 lead after a kill from Erica Sharp. Bloomsburg responded quickly with back-to-back kills and cut to the lead to one and forced an Edinboro timeout. A late run was enough for Edinboro to claim the first set after a block from Sally Sterkel retired the set 25-19.
In the second set it would be the Huskies who struck first. Bloomsburg quickly jumped out to a 6-0 early lead before the Scots would counter. Edinboro's attack rallied off six-straight kills including two from Sally Sterkel. Later in the set two service aces in a row from Carly Pry extended Edinboro's lead to 20-15 and forced a Bloomsburg timeout. Edinboro retired the second set with the score of 25-18 after a Huskies service error.
In the third set the Scots jumped out to a quick early lead and never looked back. After a service ace from Bella Burrelli, Edinboro lead 8-1. Later in the set Frederica Silva served three aces and extended the lead to 22-9 in favor of the Scots. An attack error from Bloomsburg would retire the set as Edinboro concluded the match with a win.
Bella Burrelli finished with seven kills and 11 digs.
Alicia Eldredge contributed 23 assists, five kills and five digs.
