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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Eastern Kentucky University’s volleyball team opened the season by beating Mercer University, 3-0, and the College of Charleston, 3-1, on Friday at the College of Charleston Classic.
The Colonels swept Mercer in their season-opener, winning by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 25-17.
Leading by one in the first set, 10-9, EKU used a 5-2 run to create a 4-point cushion. A kill from AG Hynes and a Mercer attack error made it 15-11. The Colonels went up by five, 19-14, after an ace from freshman Cassidy Trahan. Freshman Addison Burke ended the first with a kill.
The Bears had a 9-5 lead in the second before EKU went on a 12-1 run to seize control. Burke’s kill ended the run and had her squad on top 17-10. Emilee Hill ended the second with a kill.
The Colonels scored the first five points of the third set to cruise to the sweep.
Hynes had a match-best 10 kills to go along with a .263 attack percentage and three blocks. Hill and Burke had six kills each. Trahan finished with two aces and a team-high 12 digs in her collegiate debut.
EKU out-blocked Mercer 7-2 and held the Bears to a .000 attack percentage.
In the second match of the day, the Colonels beat the College of Charleston by scores of 25-16, 20-25, 25-21 and 25-12.
With the match tied 1-1, EKU took an 18-12 lead in the third on a kill from Hill. However, the Cougars went on an 8-2 run to tie the set at 20-20. Charleston tied it again at 21-21, before the Colonels scored the final four points to win the set and take a 2-1 lead. A kill from Carson Ledford and a C of C attack error ended the set.
The Cougars won the first three points of the fourth set, and four of the first five. EKU righted the ship. A kill from Burke started a 15-1 run, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 16-5 lead. Burke had the kill to end the set and the match as well.
Hynes had a match-best 16 kills, just two errors and a .538 attack percentage. Hill contributed a triple-double, posting 14 kills, 20 assists and 12 digs. She also made only two attack errors and hit . 375. Burke added 14 kills and 12 digs.
As a team, EKU hit .319 while holding Charleston to a .183 attack percentage. The Colonels served up 13 aces, with Ledford and Cooper Abney finishing with four each.
EKU will conclude the College of Charleston Classic against Appalachian State at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
