Box Score FREDERICK, Md.- The Hood College women's volleyball team hosted conference foe Eastern University on Wednesday evening and was unable to soar past the Eagles and fell in the contest 3-0. 

Set Scores 

Eagles won 25-12, 25-16, 25-23. 

Inside the Box Score 

Cam Madden (Carlisle, Pa./Big Spring) led the way in kills with seven. 

Maria Ricketts (Adamstown, Md./New Life Christian) tallied 14 assist on the day. 

Kendall Massey (Upper Marlboro, Md./Largo) led in digs with 13, and aces with two. 

How it Happened 

The Blazers were down 2-0 early to start set one, but after Maria Ricketts (Adamstown, Md./New Life Christian) found Cam Madden (Carlisle, Pa./Big Spring), and an attacking error by Eastern, Hood was able to knot it up 2-2. Madden was able to get the ball over the net and drop in front of an Eagles player to earn the Blazers a point off an ace, as the score was now 5-4. Another error by the Eagles would put Hood up 6-4. Eastern was able to find some answers as the set progressed and went up 8-7. Hood responded back quickly to tie it up 8-8 after a Tara Gosney (Centreville, Pa./Centreville) kill. The Eagles went on a run and went up 14-9 as the Blazers took a timeout to try and regroup. The Blazers defense stood tall in the middle as Cam Madden (Carlisle, Pa./Big Spring) and Janiyah Thornton (Waldorf, Md./Southern Maryland Christian Academy) would each earn a block assist and give the Blazers some juice, as the score now sat at 16-10. Another run by the Eagles would extend their lead by 14 as Hood was unable to find any answers. Eastern would earn the set win 25-12 and go up 1-0 in the match. 

Hood found themselves down 6-0 to start set two, but a well needed Emerson O'Connor (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park) block would give Hood their first points of the set. Eastern kept their foot on the gas as the score was 10-3. Shortly after, Tara Gosney (Centreville, Pa./Centreville) earned the kill to try and spark a run for the Blazers. Hood stopped play with a timeout, and it seemed to help as the Blazers went on run of its own and with the score now at 14-10, Eastern would use it's first timeout of the match. After the timeout, Eastern's offense found a rhythm and went up 21-14. Hood battled to the bitter end and a late Janiyah Thornton (Waldorf, Md./Southern Maryland Christian Academy) kill seemed to give the squad some hope, but Eastern would shut the door on Hood and win set two 25-16, to now lead 2-0 in the match. 

To set three, Hood was down 3-0 but Maria Ricketts (Adamstown, Md./New Life Christian) would set Emerson O'Connor (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park) up for a kill to give the Blazers their first points. Neither team was able to separate early into the contest, but a Grace Tamburin (Wheeling, WV./Wheeling Park) kill would help close the gap as the Blazers were now down 7-6. Hood was down 12-8, but a quick error by the Eagles and a Kendall Massey (Upper Marlboro, Md./Largo) kill was all that Hood needed to only be down by two and within reach to take the lead. Eastern would respond and go up 15-11. Hood tried to answer back with Massey now setting up Tara Gosney (Centreville, Pa./Centreville) for a kill as the score was 17-14, still in favor of Eastern. Maria Ricketts (Adamstown, Md./New Life Christian) would find Tamburin again for a kill, and then an error by the Eagles would have the Blazers down 19-18. Eastern came out of the timeout and by good fortune, an error by the Blazers would give them some breathing room now up 20-18. They were able to take advantage of the Blazers error with a kill to go up 21-18. A late Cam Madden (Carlisle, Pa./Big Spring) kill would have score at 24-20. Shortly after a Eastern error, Kendall Massey (Upper Marlboro, Md./Largo) earned a service ace as the Blazers now were down 24-22. A late fight for the Blazers gave them some momentum by Eastern was able to sweep Hood with a 25-23 set three win. 

For the Opponent 

Piper Xeller led with 10 kills.

Sarah Furey tallied 17 assist to led the Eagles. 

Analysis 

Hood edged Eastern in digs 42-38. 

Eastern led in assists 36-23.

Notes 

Hood falls to 2-2 early into conference play. 

Eastern stays perfect in conference play with a 2-0 start. 

Up Next 

The squad will rest and won't be back in action until they take to the road on Tuesday, October 13, at 7 PM against conference foe Messiah University.