Box Score
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky remained unbeaten in United Athletic Conference play by beating second-place North Alabama, 3-0, on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.
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The Colonels (16-2, 6-0 UAC) won by scores of 26-24, 25-19 and 25-19.
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The Lions (14-5, 4-2 UAC) led for much of the first set. The Colonels took their first lead at 21-20 on a kill from
Emma Closurdo. EKU reached set-point, 24-23 on a kill from
Audrey Hudson, but UNA stayed alive by winning the next point. North Alabama appeared to go ahead 25-24, but the call was challenged and reversed. The result was a kill by
Emilee Hill. On the next series, Hill and
Alexis Bull combined for a block to win the opener 26-24.
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Addison Burke's kill early in the second set broke a 3-3 tie. Eastern led the rest of the set. Another kill from Burke stretched the margin to four, 12-8. A block from Hill and
Caitlyn Flees put the home team in front by five, 16-11. North Alabama closed to within two, 16-14, on a kill from Anna Hoffmayer, but never got any closer. Hudson's kill put her team ahead by six, 20-14. Closurdo's kill from the right side ended the set, 25-19, and put EKU up 2-0 in the match.
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The Colonels took the lead, 9-8, in the third set on a kill from Hudson and never relinquished it. Closurdo's kill pushed the margin to four, 17-13. A kill from Hill and a North Alabama attack error had EKU in the lead by six, 19-13. Hill and Bull combined for a block to end it 25-19.
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Eastern Kentucky out-blocked UNA, 11-3. EKU out-hit the Lions .298 to .183.
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Burke had a team-best 11 kills with five digs and two aces. Hudson finished with 10 kills, eight digs and two blocks. Hill had nine kills, 16 assists, eight digs and five blocks. Bull led all players with six blocks to go along with four kills.
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Reese Ricketts posted a match-high 17 kills for North Alabama.
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The Colonels will go on the road to face West Georgia on Thursday at 6 p.m., before returning to Baptist Health Arena on Saturday to host Abilene Christian at 12 p.m.
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