Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

@ERAUVolleyball Opens 2013 Season with Sweep of Milligan

8/23/2013 7:55:00 PM | By: Michael Pierce | @mepierce01

EMBRY-RIDDLE

(1-0) RANK: 10th
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Aug. 23, 2013 | Daytona Beach, Fla. | Attendance: 945
Box Score


10	13	13
25	25	25

MILLIGAN
(0-1) RANK: NR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The starting lineup handed to the officials by Head Coach Joslynn Gallop featured four new faces, and each one demonstrated on Friday night why Gallop is excited about this year's team. Playing in front of nearly 1,000 fans, the Eagles dominated Milligan, needing just over an hour to dispatch of the Buffaloes in three sets, 25-10, 25-13, 25-13.

The Eagles are now 1-0 on the young season, while Milligan falls to 0-1.

The Blue and Gold got off to a quick start, taking a 7-2 lead early in the match. Tamires Ferreira rattled off three service aces in the span of four points to blow the set open, pushing the Eagle lead to 18-8. The Buffaloes committed errors on three of the final four points of the set, helping Embry-Riddle to a 25-10 win.

Back-to-back service aces from Hannah Gray capped an 8-2 run for ERAU to open the second set, setting the stage for another dominating frame. Jennifer Beatty tallied four kills over six points in the middle of the set to build the advantage up to 17-6. The two sides traded points for the remainder of the set with the Blue and Gold closing out the set with a 25-13 win to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Ferreira served the first seven points of the third set as the Eagles jumped out to a 6-0 lead and never looked back. A kill by Emily Jacobson moved the score to 13-2 and a solo block from Jacobson gave ERAU an 18-6 lead. Beatty closed out her first match as an Eagle with kills on the final two points, closing out the set at 25-13 to complete the 3-0 sweep.

The Eagles outhit the Buffaloes .354 to -.027 in the match with Milligan committing 18 attack errors, twice as many as Embry-Riddle. The Blue and Gold were especially dominant at the net, registering six blocks compared to MC's one, and from the service line, tallying 13 service aces without allowing the Buffaloes a single ace.

Beatty was the only player to reach double-figures in kills with 11 against just one error in 20 swings, amounting to a match-high .500 attack percentage to go along with nine digs and three service aces. Morgan Shattuck added nine kills and hit .438 while Taylor Ruiz chipped in with six kills and a .357 attack percentage.

Ferreira registered match-highs in assists (29) and service aces (5) while adding three kills and three digs. Hannah Gray led all players with 14 digs and added three service aces.

Emilee Linkous tallied a team-high four kills while Bailey Thomas, Kylie Whaley and Samantha Bruinius each added three kills. Jessica Davenport recorded all 14 assists for MC while Kaitlyn Round led the team with eight digs.

The Eagles return to action next weekend as they play host to the Embry-Riddle Labor Day Tournament. The Blue and Gold will play Cardinal Stritch on Friday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. before taking on No. 11 Madonna at 7 p.m. On Aug. 31, ERAU will face No. 5 Oklahoma Baptist at 2 p.m. and No. 21 Eastern Oregon at 7 p.m.