Cassie Knutson and Celina Sanks each had big nights to lead the Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team in its 3-1 loss at Jacksonville State Friday night.
Knutson poured in 14 kills, 29 assists, eight digs and a career-high five blocks while Sanks led all players and matched her season-high of 20 kills and also contributed 15 digs.
EKU fell by scores of 25-20, 25-19, 22-25 and 25-20.
Despite being down 2-0 the Colonels came out of the locker room to jump ahead early in the third set, utilizing five answered points to lead the Gamecocks, 10-4. JSU responded by scoring six in a row to tie the score at 10 all. The squads went point-for-point down the stretch but a kill from Nikki Drost and an error from Jacksonville State closed the set in favor of EKU, 25-22.
Eastern opened up the fourth frame with another early lead, 8-4, but a kill from Mackenzie Rombach sparked a 7-1 Gamecock run to move the score, 11-9. EKU tied the score twice in the middle of the set, 11-11 and 14-14, but Jacksonville State took four of the next five points to regain an 18-15 advantage. JSU maintained momentum, holding the Colonels off the remainder of the set, taking the match 25-20.
Chloe Rojas had a match-high of 20 digs while Mallory Maxwell followed closely behind with a season-high of 18.
Maria Ferragonio chipped in 20 assists while Ciera Koons and Kaylin Johnson added four blocks apiece to the Colonel total.
Jacksonville State improves to 21-11 (7-6 Ohio Valley Conference) while EKU drops to 11-16 (9-4 OVC).
Eastern Kentucky squares off against Tennessee Tech at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in Cookeville, Tennessee. Live statistics and video via the OVC Digital Network will be available for the match.
— www.EKUSports.com —
Morgan Romans
Assistant Director, EKUSports Communications
