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On the strength of a season-high .344 hitting percentage, the American University volleyball team defeated Morgan State, 3-0, Tuesday night in Bender Arena. Magdalena Tekiel and Angelina Waterman each scored nine kills for the Eagles while Cassanda Ricketts added eight. American's victory came by set scores of 25-23, 25-17 and 25-19.

American (7-8, 1-1) and Morgan State (4-10) traded the lead three times in the first set and found themselves tied on seven occasions as neither team was able to pull away. The Eagles led by as many as three points, 21-18, but a Morgan State ace and consecutive kills pulled the Bears even, 21-21. American was able to rebound though and took a 23-21 lead following a Waterman kill before taking set point, 25-23, on a Claire Recht kill.

The second set was all American as the Eagles used a 6-0 run to open a 13-4 lead to begin the frame. American extended its advantage to 10 points, 22-12, following consecutive Waterman kills and took set point, 25-17, on a Rebecca Heath block. The Eagles' attack scored 15 kills on 29 attempts in the frame while its defense forced six errors against six Morgan State kills.

The Eagles trumped the Bears from the start in the third set as well, taking an 11-6 lead following a Tekiel kill and a block from Tekiel and Ann Recht. American pushed its advantage to seven points midway through set, 20-13, on a Ricketts and A. Recht block. Morgan State was unable to mount a comeback attempt down the stretch as American took set point, 25-19, on a Bears error.

Tekiel and Waterman both recorded nine kills on the night. Waterman finished the match with a .500 hitting percentage and added eight digs. Ricketts chipped in eight kills on 14 attempts for a .571 hitting percentage to go along with five block assists, seven digs and four assists. Krysta Cicala distributed 40 assists in the victory.

“I really like the way that we were patient and continued to methodically chip away at the game with our pass and hit. I thought it was a good performance.” Head Coach Barry Goldberg stated after the match. "We're looking forward to taking some of the momentum we built tonight into this weekend's matches."

The Eagles will return to Bender Arena this weekend as they host both Bucknell and Colgate in Patriot League action. American will first play Bucknell on Friday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. before meeting Colgate on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. Both matches can be seen live on the new Eagles Vision TV channel featuring multiple camera angles, a live scoreboard and analysis from a studio broadcast team and courtside reporters. To sign up for Eagles Vision TV, click here.