HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Eastern University outblocked and outhit Frostburg State University on its way to a 3-1 victory over the Bobcats, in Thursday's opening match of the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship's Juniata Regional at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.

Set scores for Eastern (31-4) were 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, and 25-19.

Eastern had to overcome an upset-minded Frostburg State squad that forced the Eagles into several extended rallies, with both teams coming up with spectacular digs time-and-time again. Four players finished with 14 digs in the match: Sarah Stephens for Frostburg, and Courtney Reinhold, Nikki Kummerer, and Kelly Groff for Eastern.

Reinhold led Eastern offensively as well, as the sophomore outside hitter put down a team-high 16 kills on 56 swings for a .214 attack percentage, to go with three aces and two blocks. Freshman opposite Rachel Wenger tallied 15 kills on 28 swings, and had a hand in three blocks.  Freshman middle Heather Kauffman tallied four blocks for the Eagles.

Sophomore Maria Horning set 40 assists for the Eagles, while running an Eastern offense that hit  .285 for the match. 

Frostburg State (30-5) senior outside hitter Brooke Westerling led all players with 24 kills on 60 swings, and also turned up 12 digs. Stephens logged 15 kills for the Bobcats. Sophomore setter Kylie Carrinton had 53 assists for the Bobcats, who hit at a .172 attack clip, and had a hand in three of Frostburg's 6.0 total team blocks.

Eastern will advance to play the winner of the Haverford College-Richard Stockton College first round match on Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m.

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