The American University volleyball team matched the record for the best start in program history with its eighth straight win over Penn, 3-0, to open play at the Crowne Plaza Invitational on Saturday night. 

The first set went back-and-forth five times before an ace by Kristyna Lindovska gave American (8-0) a 17-14 advantage. The Quakers battled back to cut American's lead to two three times, with an ace by Taylor Smith putting the score at 21-19. A kill by Monika Smidova gave the Eagles a three-point advantage and after consecutive points by Penn a kill by Kelly McCaddin helped American to a 25-22 win.

Penn (1-4) got on the board first in the second set before the Eagles used a 5-1 run for the 11-7 advantage. The Quakers made it a one-point match on a kill by Jasmine DeSilva but American answered with three consecutive tallies for the 16-13 lead. A block from Lindovska gave the Eagles the 24-20 advantage but Penn rallied to make it a one-point game on a kill from DeSilva. After a timeout by the Eagles, an error by the Quakers gave American the 25-23 victory. 

The Eagles jumped out to a 9-2 advantage early in the third set, forcing Penn to call a timeout. The Quakers tried to cut American's lead, but the Eagles held off a comeback as it rolled to a 25-16 win and its seventh sweep of the season.

Juliana Crum led American with her first double-double of the season, matching the team-high with 11 kills and 13 digs while hitting .450 on the night. McCaddin added 11 kills and hit .444 with four blocks in the match. Smidova notched 38 assists and nine digs. The Eagles outhit Penn .349 to .193 on the night. 

DeSilva finished with a double-double to lead the Quakers, tallying 12 kills and 12 digs. Alex Caldwell paced the offense with 18 assists.

American continues play in the Crowne Plaza Invitational with a pair of matches tomorrow, Sunday, September 15. The Eagles open the day against Weber St. at 12 p.m. and face La Salle at 4 p.m.