Eagles fall to Sacramento State, focus on Senior Day finale
The Eagles team huddles together ahead of their game against Sacramento State. The Eagles fell to the Hornets on Wednesday.
COURTESY PHOTO/BRAEDEN HARLOW/EWU ATHLETICS
CHENEY – Eastern fell in straight sets to Sacramento State on Wednesday night, according to a statement from EWU athletics. The Eagles were led by Kalista Lukovich and Alyssa Radke with seven kills apiece, while Elle Bruegman anchored the defense with 14 digs. Eastern also continued to showcase one of its season-long strengths at the net, out-blocking the Hornets 9–3 with seven solo blocks.
"We do a lot of things really well," said head coach Jon Haruguchi. "At the beginning of every set, we're right there. We just can't quite put it together long enough, but I'm encouraged by so much of what we're doing." He noted the team's blocking execution as a major positive. "Blocking is a momentum and energy shift, and our group — especially our freshman middles — has been really tough and really big at the net. We've excelled in that for sure."
Sophia Lindemann opened set one with a solo block to put Eastern on the board first, but Sacramento State countered with a 4–0 run and later stretched the lead to 16–9 before taking the frame 25–16.
Set two began as a tighter battle, with both sides trading points. The Hornets again used a pair of 4–0 runs to create separation and secured another 25–16 win.
Sacramento State carried that momentum into the third, jumping out to a 12–4 lead. Despite Eastern's push to steady its rhythm, the Hornets closed out the match with a 25–17 set victory.
Radke credited Bruegman's presence for helping keep the team grounded defensively.
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