The Ashland University volleyball team started slow in the first set, but then had no trouble the rest of the way as the Eagles swept visiting Illinois Springfield, 25-17, 25-16, 25-18, on Thursday (Sept. 19) night at Kates Gymnasium.
The Eagles (8-2) won their third straight match and improved to 5-0 at home this season.
The Prairie Stars (5-4), who joined the Eagles in the NCAA Tournament field last season, the started the match on an 8-3 burst before Ashland scored the next six points in the rotation with sophomore Erin Krupar serving.
The Eagles used a 4-0 run to create separation and make it 17-13 and went on to the win.
In Set 2, the Eagles trailed, 7-6, then scored 10 of the next 13 points to take a 17-9 lead. Junior Brooke Peiffer had five of her team-high 12 kills in the frame against no errors.
Ashland's defense took over in the third set, posting five blocks, including three by junior Lexi Lombardo as the Eagles held UIS to just .026 hitting.
Senior Sophi Cudworth (11 kills, .526) and Krupar (10 kills, .147) joined Peiffer in double figures. Sophomore Sophie Dahn led the back row with 13 digs and sophomore Zoey Peck dished out 36 assists.
Rachel Cobert led the Prairie Stars with nine kills (.231).
The Eagles return to the Kates Gymnasium floor on Friday (Sept. 20) at 7 p.m. as they open GLIAC play against Purdue Northwest.
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