Center Valley, PA (September 12, 2018) - The DeSales University volleyball knocked off nationally recognized Eastern University, 3-1 (25-15, 25-22, 19-25, 25-18), for the second time in the last three matches in the MAC Freedom season opener on Wednesday evening in Billera Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: DeSales - 3, Eastern - 1 (25-15, 25-22, 19-25, 25-18)
• Records: DeSales (6-3, 1-0 MAC Freedom); Eastern (7-2, 0-1 MAC Freedom)

How it Happened

• DeSales never trailed in the first two sets jumping out to a 4-0 lead in each of the first two sets.  Leading 14-11 in the first set, DSU scored eight of the next 10 points to take a 21-13 lead on three kills, two blocks and a service ace and never looked back.
• In the second set the Bulldogs led comfortably throughout before the Eagles pulled to within 24-22 with three straight points late before a kill from sophomore Grace Merritt sealed the second set win.
• DSU continued to never trail thru most of the third set and led 16-13 before EU scored 11 of the next 13 points to lead 24-18 and the Bulldogs were unable to recover.
• Another quick start from DeSales in the fourth set saw the host leading 4-1 and after Eastern got within one point (7-6), DSU won four of the next five points to lead 11-7 and never looked back from there.

Top Bulldog Performers

• Junior Morghan Shoemaker and sophomore Noel Kelly combined for 11 kills each and hit .476 and .500 respectively.
• Shoemaker added five blocks and three aces and sophomore Maddy Felty equaled Shoemaker's five blocks with five of her own.
• Freshman Audrey Wolfe finished with 35 assists, nine digs, and four blocks.
• Senior Natalie Gray was outstanding on the back line with a match-high 23 digs and two aces.
• Senior Gabby Savite` finished with nine kills, nine digs, and two aces, while Merritt totaled eight kills and three blocks.

For the Foes

• Caroline Shelby totaled 16 kills and nine digs.
• Ally Spillane and Michelle Paulsen finished with 10 kills each.
• Cecilia Bauer totaled 16 digs and Morgan Kline had 37 assists and seven digs.

Inside the Box Score

• The Bulldogs hit .231 for the match as compared to just .146 for the Eagles.
• DSU also out-blocked EU totaling 11 team blocks to just seven for Eastern.
• EU had 13 service errors and four blocking errors, while DeSales led both teams with nine service aces.

Up Next

• The Bulldogs travel to the Messiah College Invitational this weekend opening play on Friday vs. York College (PA).