Box Score vs. Iona (PDF) | Box Score vs. Navy (PDF)

LORETTO, Pa. – The EKU volleyball team won its fourth consecutive match with a 3-0 win over Iona College on Saturday at the Red Flash Classic. However, the United States Naval Academy's three-set decision over the Colonels gave EKU the split on the day.
 
The Colonels won by scores of 26-24, 25-18, and 25-12. Navy won Saturday's second match by scores of 25-17, 25-22, and 25-16.
 
EKU (5-7) jumped out to an early 8-1 lead over Iona and never looked back. It was team effort, as seven different Colonels logged kills in the win. Freshmen setters Maria Ferragonio and Rachel Woody combined for 33 assists, helping EKU hit .290 on the night.
 
Defensively the Colonels thwarted the Iona attack, limiting the Gaels' offense to a .077 hitting percentage. Iona's performance marked the second consecutive match the EKU defense held an opponent to a season-low in the category.
 
Juniors Nikki Drost and Mallory Maxwell scooped up 12 and 16 digs, respectively to lead EKU.
 
Navy (10-2) controlled the first set to move ahead 1-0. The Midshipmen held off the Colonels in the second, breaking a 22-22 tie to widen its lead to 2-0 in the match. The Colonels narrowed a six-point deficit down to three, before Navy gained extended its lead for good.
 
Sophomore Cassie Knutson paced the Colonels, recording 20 kills on Saturday.  Drost finished with 19 kills and 24 digs for EKU.
 
Knutson and Maxwell earned a spot on the all-tournament team.
 
The Colonels open Ohio Valley Conference play on Friday as they visit Tennessee Tech University. Friday's match is scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET first serve.