Eagles Open With Four-Set Win Over St. Catharine

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WILMORE, Ky. – Asbury had a chance for the three game sweep over St. Catharine but settled for the season-opening 3-1 win over St. Catharine College on Friday night.  The Eagles dropped the third set 24-26 after holding a 24-17 lead.  Asbury won the first two sets 25-21 and 25-19 before fighting back for a 25-23 match win in the fourth.

Asbury (1-0) was led by sophomore Sarah Sterling’s career-high 16 kills on 32 attempts, hitting .375 for the match.  Sterling did not have a kill in the first set, tallying only three attacks but bounced back in the second with six kills on eight attempts.  She added five more in each of the next two sets.  Sophomore Alyssa Downs also in double digits with a career-best 10 kills and hit .209 for the match.  The Eagles hit only .182 for the match but had 18 kills in the fourth set and hit .400.

 The Eagles found themselves in trouble quite a bit during the match as St. Catharine was able to do enough to stay close.  The Patriots (1-5) came up with 12 team blocks as Allie Southard led all players in the match with one solo block and seven block assists.  Southard also tied with Casey Stone for the team lead with 13 kills.  St. Catharine hit only .127 for the match but came alive in the fourth with 17 kills and a .359 attack percentage. 

The Eagles’ defense was vital as the team dug 73 balls led by Kelly Cole with 26.  Maddie Lewis added 10 as 12 players recorded at least one dig.  Setters Mackenzie Burke and Jessie Bartlow were nearly identical in assists as Burke notched 24 and Bartlow 23.

The Eagles will hit the road on Tuesday to face #20 Lindsey Wilson at 7 pm before returning home for a match against Campbellsville on Saturday September 1.