Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - First year head coach Jason Kozak grabbed his first two career wins at the helm of the Golden Eagles as his team handily defeated regional opponents Virginia Union and Chowan 3-0 on the opening day of the UC Invitational Tournament, Friday afternoon.
UC (2-4) opened the tournament by controlling the attack against an outnumbered Virginia Union squad as the home team cruised to a 25-11, 25-14, 25-22 victory.
15 Golden Eagle players managed to see action in the contest as new lineups emerged nearly every other serve. Everyday setter Kelsey Eby found herself at the top of the stat line for the match with eight kills on a team-high 19 attempts to hit 31 percent, which went along with a team-high 18 assists. Eby also didn't slouch on defense as she tallied seven digs with a block-assist in the win.
Malleri Hardison, Keely Latham, Samantha Scripter, Holly Sabatka, Shyanne Loftin and Melissa Reyes each booked a hitting percentage of atleast 40 percent. Ashley Douglas was dangerous from behind the line with a game-high four service aces.
The constant pressure at the net allowed the University of Charleston to account for eight team blocks and keep VUU under 10 percent hitting in the game.
The second contest of the game came as the nightcap to the tournament as the Golden Eagles used the momentum from a huge second set to comeback and secure the victory in the third. UC got its second win after a hard fought 25-20, 25-16, 26-24 decision.
Keeping the offensive errors down had kept Charleston on the right side of the scoreboard all day long and that continued for two sets against Chowan. The home offense sputtered some in set three to allow the Hawks some breathing room as they pulled out to a 20-15 advatage late, yet the team never put its head down as they came roaring back to take a nailbiter in the final set to stay perfect on the day.
Hardison powered the ball past the CU defense for a game-high 12 kills to go along with 10 digs. Brenna Youlton, Scripter and Eby each followed close behind in the balanced offense with six kills apiece.
Douglas continued as a service threat with three aces with her 16 digs to lead the home squad to the win.
Charleston continues with Day 2 of the University of Charleston invite at 11:00 am against Mars Hill (N.C.).
