WASHINGTON - In the final home match of the regular season, the American University volleyball team defeated Loyola Maryland 3-0 to improve to 20-4 on the year. The Eagles have won 13 matches in a row and are a win away from securing the Patriot League regular season title. 

Notable

• Prinzez Zeck had another efficient night, hitting .600 with nine kills and three blocks. Her teammate up front, Elise Sterling, hit .455 on six kills. 
• Sophie Dufour paced AU's  attacking effort with 11 kills, adding seven digs. 
• Deniz Dakak had an excellent night distributing the ball, finding 35 assists and adding 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the season. 
• Bella Marrero took on 13 digs, delivered three assists, and put down two service aces in a productive night for the sophomore libero. 
• The Eagles hit .306, swinging above .300 for the 10th time this season. They also had eight service aces, led by three from Sterling. 
• Tonight was AU's 13th sweep of the year. 
• With a win on Sunday at Navy, the Eagles will clinch the regular season title and the number one seed in the Patriot League Tournament. 

How it Happened

• AU broke away from Loyola early on in the first set, taking it comfortably at 25-15. 
• The set was sparked by a phenomenal dig from Bella Marrero, handling a big swing from Kacy Sekunda to keep the point alive. Mariah Sanabia took a second try for Loyola, and Elise Sterling came up with a block to win the point. 
• The Eagles closed the set on an 11-6 run from there, hitting .333 in the frame. Hollas and Zeck and three kills apiece to lead the way. 
• It was a tighter second set, with the Greyhounds closing the gap on a 17-11 AU lead late in the frame. They went on a 5-3 run to make it 19-16 before Ahen Kim called a timeout. 
• Out of the break, AU answered with six straight points to win the set 25-16. Two service aces and a kill from Dufour ended it. 
• The Eagles had their way in the third set, winning it 25-14. 
• They began to separate themselves from the Greyhounds with the score 11-6, using an 8-2 to run to break it open. Seven of the eight points were inflicted by AU, with five kills and two aces. 
• American led 20-9 at one point, and closed out the set on two kills from Dufour, one from Dakak, and another from Zeck following a service ace by Salme Adeele Hollas.

Up Next

• The Eagles play at Navy on Sunday, with first serve set for 2 p.m.

Keep up With Us

• For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).