Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- The University of Charleston Golden Eagles opened their 2022 campaign with a three sets to none sweep against Limestone and an unfortunate loss to host Queens. After a few postponements due to Covid, the Golden Eagles were finally able to begin their 2022 season and did it in style. The 3-0 sweep would be the first collegiate win for new head coach Luke Reynolds.

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE: Charleston: 3; Limestone: 0
LOCATION: Charlotte, N.C – Curry Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (1-0, 0-0 EIVA) Limestone (3-1, 0-0 DI Independent)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Eagles had an impressive showing in their first set boasting 15 kills in 21 total attacks for a .714 hitting percentage. The day began with a service ace from Nathan Cartier and a kill from the Australian Lachlan Bray. The Golden Eagles did an excellent job controlling momentum as they never gave up more than three consecutive points to Limestone. They would eventually take the first set 25-16 with no errors to boot.
 
The turning point in the second set came when the Golden Eagles held a 6-5 advantage. Five of the next 6 points would go to Charleston and they maintained a five-point advantage at 11-6. Again, Charleston did not allow the Saints to mount any sort of swing as they held them to just 18 points. The final point came from an error by the Saints to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 set advantage, winning the second 25-17.
 
The third set was much of the same as the Golden Eagles continued to build up points and would eventually take the set 25-17.
 
Lachlan Bray had impressive first showing as he posted a .577 hitting percentage with 17 kills and averaged 5.6 kills per set. Curtis Raines led the Golden Eagles on defense with eight digs. Nathan Cartier had three service aces, which led both teams in the contest. Setter Nathan Avitia led the Golden Eagles on offense with 32 assists.
 
 

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE: Charleston: 1; Queens: 3
LOCATION: Charlotte, N.C – Curry Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (1-1, 0-0 EIVA) Queens (4-3)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The second match of the weekend was a tale of two days. The Golden Eagles struggled with errors all match as they had 30 errors in four sets. Giving away a complete set due to an inability to
 
After the impressive first day of action the Golden Eagles would be disappointed by some mental mistakes in the second match of the weekend.
 
The first set saw Charleston post a -.030 hitting percentage as Queens took the first set 25-22. Despite their struggles the Golden Eagles still had a chance late in the set as they brought the score to 22-23 in favor of Queens. However, a kill by Daniel Leitao of Queens and attack error by Will Kimenhour would give the Royals a 25-22 win in set one.
 
The Golden Eagles could never find their footing in set two as they only able to string together more than two points in a row once. Charleston pulled to within one point at 16-17 in favor of Queens before the Royals strung together three consecutive points, with two of them coming from UC mistakes.
 
Charleston narrowly won the third set by a score of 25-23 after posting their best hitting percentage of the match at .233. Charleston would be down 23-21 but were able to rally and score four consecutive points to take the set.
 
The fourth would go the way of the Royals as they totaled a game high 15 kills in the set. Five errors cost the Golden Eagles as they lost the set 25-19 after three consecutive points by Queens to end it.
 
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles begin conference play in the EIVA this weekend with a match against St. Francis College of Brooklyn on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
--UC--