Raiders Plunder Golden Eagles in Suspensful Five-Set Match

Newark, N.J. — The Eagles (5-4) didn't win the war but they definitely put up an extraordinary fight in each of the battles. Despite losing to the Rutgers-Newark Scarlett Raiders (7-4) three games to two, the Lady Eagles certainly affirmed their prowess with their efforts.

The first two games were nearly identical — 25-21, Raiders win for both — with each set tying at every turn, the victorious Raiders only pulling away in the final four possessions. The tables turned for the Eagles in the third set, as they were the ones to finally make the winning plays after the teams tied at 22. Going into a fourth set the Eagles were prepared to do whatever it took to force a fifth game. In an incredible feat of wills, the Eagles pulled through with an unheard of 32-30 win after the game tied at quite literally every point after 20.

The fifth and final set was just as close as the previous four as two well matched teams concluded their contest. Countering each other's every point, the Raiders ultimately took the final set 15-12 in what was sure to be a heart-wrenching hit for the Eagles.

The nail-biter did not end in favor of the Golden Eagles but their efforts were still very impressive. Heather Ferchland (Selden, N.Y./ Centereach) slammed down a whopping 27 kills as Julianne Tierney (Bethpage, N.Y./ Bethpage) logged 61 assists and 21 digs. Erin Kelly (Ridge, N.Y./ Longwood) had ten kills and 11 digs while Courtney Wickline (Medford, N.Y./ Bellport) had 31 digs.