Box Score vs. Howard
Box Score vs. Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Eastern Kentucky began its 2011 volleyball season by splitting a pair of matches on Friday at the Pitt Panther Invitational hosted by the University of Pittsburgh. EKU (1-1) knocked off Howard University by a score of 3-1 before falling to Pitt in the nightcap 3-0.

Against Howard (0-2), the Colonels posted a .348 attack percentage in the first set on their way to a 25-9 victory. Eastern had 12 kills in 23 attack while making only four errors. Howard evened up the score 1-1 by taking the second set 25-23. EKU posted another .300 attack percentage in a 25-16 third set victory and completed the match with a 25-15 win in the fourth set.

Freshman Hannah Burkle led the Colonels with 17 kills and a .600 attack percentage. She made only two errors in 25 attacks. The Crystal Lake, Ill., native also contributed six total blocks. Freshman Abbey Cvelbar totaled 34 assists in her first collegiate match. Sophomore Ashley Edmond finished with nine kills and a match-high 14 digs.

Howard was led by Tosin Elebute with 13 kills.

In the second match, Pitt (2-0) hit .300-plus in each of the first two sets to take a 2-0 lead. The Panthers won by scores of 25-18 and 25-10. EKU posted its best percentage in the third set, .105, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a Pitt 25-19 victory.

Edmond finished with a team-best eight kills to go along with nine digs. Burkle added six kills and a block assist. Freshman Dena Ott led the squad with 12 digs.

Kiesha Leggs posted a match-best nine kills for the Panthers.

The Colonels will conclude play at the Pitt Invitational on Saturday. Eastern plays Rhode Island at 3 p.m., and will take on Duquesne at 7 p.m.