Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

Box Score  |  2023 ASUN Tournament Bracket

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky University wrapped up the 2023 regular season with a 3-0 win at Queens on Saturday.  The Colonels will be the No. 3 seed in next week's Atlantic Sun Conference.
 
EKU (21-7, 11-5 ASUN) won its 21st match of the season, which equaled the 2014 team for the most wins since the 2005 Colonels won 23.  It is also the first time the program has finished in the top three of the conference standings since 2014.
 
The Colonels will begin play in the ASUN Tournament on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Fort Myers, Florida.  EKU will face No. 6 seed North Florida.
 
With the first set tied 4-4, the Colonels scored six straight to seize control.  Kambree Lucas served up an ace, Sarah Mitchell recorded back-to-back kills and Lucas scored another ace to finish off the run and make it 10-4.  Queens was still within six at 19-13 before EKU scored the final six points to win the opener 25-13.
 
When AG Vandagriff broke a 3-3 tie with a kill in the second set, EKU led the rest of the set.  That kill from the sophomore right side started a 7-1 run.  Mitchell ended it with a kill for a 10-4 lead.  The Royals closed within one, 17-16, on an ace from Alleigh Johnson.  The Colonels answered by scoring seven of the next nine points to reach set point, 24-18.  Mitchell finished it two points later, 25-19, with a kill.
 
EKU had a 3-point lead in the third set, 10-7, before using a 6-2 run to stretch it to a 7-point margin, 16-9.  A kill from Mitchell pushed the visitors ahead by nine, 21-12.  Madi Tolzman closed out the set, 25-15, and the match with a kill.
 
Mitchell had a match-best 16 kills with only one error in 26 attempts.  She hit .577 with eight digs.  Vandagriff had 10 kills and no errors in 19 attempts for a .526 average, and blocked two shots. 
 
The Colonels hit .347 as a team with seven blocks and six aces.  Queens was held to a .153 attack percentage and only three blocks.