Oct. 5, 2006

Box Score

WASHINGTON - The American University Women's Volleyball team held the visiting Naval Academy to just .029 hitting and registered 14 total blocks in a 3-0 win Thursday night that extends the team's winning streak to six straight matches. The match took just 1:19 as the Eagles ran to the 30-18, 30-14 and 30-23 win.

AU was in control from the onset of game one, using a collective .350 hitting effort powered by Rubena Sukaj's (Tirana, Albania/Asim Vokshi) five kills in the first game. In the second game, the Eagles were down 6-7 early, but answered with a 9-0 run on strong serving from Maile Krauss (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn). The team kept the momentum going and closed the game on a 24-7 streak. Every Eagle contributed in the third game, which was knotted through the first 15 points. Sukaj's attack and the frontline blocking proved to be the edge.

Offensively, Sukaj had a match-high 17 kills at a .361 percentage and Ivana Cebakova (Brno, Czech Republic/Ludvika Danka) had 10 kills.

The real story on the night was the team's defense. Patriot League leader in blocks Chelsa Brooks (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) had one solo block and eight assists, setter Christina Nash (Princeton, Fla./Coral Reef) had a solo block and three block assists and Elizabeth Maloney (Toronto, Ontario/Richview C.I.) had five block assists as the Eagles combined for 14 in the match. American's defense held Navy to just .029 hitting for the match. Every Midshipmen except one hit either .000 or a negative percentage.

"The team is executing better and improvements are being made," head coach Barry Goldberg said. "Our back row attack is helping open our offensive and our blocking and defense are playing more disciplined. We are becoming a stronger and more confident team."

The 12-6 Eagles return to action Friday night as they host UMES at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on internet radio through Eagles Insider All Access.