Jose Briseno- Assistant SID

Photo Courtesy of USU Eastern

The Utah State Eastern Eagles took a short trip to Taylorsville, UT, to take part in Salt Lake Community College’s Crystal Invitational. Eastern played four matches total, with Daytona State College, College of Southern Nevada, Hillsborough Community College, and Central Wyoming scheduled as their opponents.

First on the schedule was Daytona State, a team that the Eagles controlled, making quick work of DSC. After taking the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-21, the Eagles dropped the third set, 23-25. A close fourth set was won by Eastern, 25-23, giving USUE a 3-1 victory. Audrey Atwood led the Eagles with 16 kills, followed by 10 from Emilia Zug. Ella Persson had 17 digs to lead the Eagles defensively.

The second match of the tournament saw a familiar foe, the CSN Coyotes. The match between old conference friends was dominated by the Eagles. With scores of 25-14, 25-14, and 25-13, the Eagles swept the Coyotes in straight sets. Atwood, Zug, and Agata Zwierzynska each had six kills as the team took advantage of CSN’s mistakes for the clean sweep.

Saturday brought another opponent from last week’s Florida tournament, Hillsborough Community College. Just like the Florida trip, the Eagles made quick work of HCC, walking away with a 3-0 sweep. Atwood dominated with 11 kills and two aces while Zwierzynska helped with eight kills of her own. Persson had a season-high 25 digs in the sweep.

The final match up of the weekend ended with a 3-0 sweep of Central Wyoming College. With scores of 25-17, 25-16, and 25-19, the Eagles made quick work of the Rustlers for their sixth-straight win. Atwood continued her hot streak with 13 kills in the match while Amy Baczuk had nine blocks to anchor the Eagle defense.

Next on the schedule is the Starr Invitational in Twin Falls, ID. Matches begin on Friday, Sep. 5, at the College of Southern Idaho.