Eryn Boken	Kristin Kirwan	Regina Schetroma

Box Score

GLASSBORO, N.J. – The University of Scranton battled Eastern tightly for four sets on Friday evening at the Rowan Quad, but the Eagles prevailed with a four-set victory on the opening night of this weekend's four-team tournament. 

Freshman Eryn Boken (South Pasadena, Calif./Westridge School for Girls) tied for a match-high with 12 kills and four blocks while her three aces led all players in the match.

Senior Kristin Kirwan (Park Ridge, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy) added 11 kills and needs nine more kills to become Scranton's all-time leader in kills.  Kirwan will have the opportunity to break Anne McGovern's 19-year old mark of 1,650 kills on Saturday as the Royals play a pair of matches at Rowan.

Eastern (15-3) won Friday night's opening set, 25-23, before Scranton (12-11) leveled the match with a 25-19 victory in set two.  The Eagles then used a 25-18 decision to reclaim the lead before battling past the Royals in the fourth frame, 27-25, to win the match.

Scranton built a 21-17 advantage in the opening set of Friday night's match, but Eastern scored six of the next seven points to claim a 23-22 edge.  Jillian Graham (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) tied the set with a kill, but the Eagles notched the next two points to take a 1-0 lead in the contest.

In the second set, Eastern built a 15-12 lead, but the Royals stormed back with a 13-4 run to complete the rally for the 25-19 set win which knotted the match at one set apiece.

The third set was tightly contest with the two team sitting tied at 13-13 before the Eagles racked up 12 of the final 17 points to defeat Scranton, 25-18, to take a 2-1 edge in the match.

The fourth set was tight throughout with neither squad building a lead of more than two points.  Scranton led 24-23, but a service error kept Eastern alive.  Following an attack error, the Royals fended off one match point before a ball handling error and a kill gave the Eagles a 27-25 decision to complete the 3-1 victory.

Sophomore Regina Schetroma (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown West) picked up a match-high 23 digs while senior Megan Monastra (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) added 16 digs and seven kills for the Royals in the loss.

Sophomore Kindler Norman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) dished out 29 assists and tied with Boken and senior Catherine Manning (Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester) for the match-lead in blocks with four.

Scranton will play a pair of matches on Saturday to wrap up the Rowan Quad.  The Royals take on Frostburg St. at 11 a.m. before meeting the host Profs at 2 p.m.

--ROYALS--