WASHINGTON - Despite playing all three sets close, including a third set that took 29 points to win, the American University volleyball team fell to Howard 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles move to 7-3 on the season, and begin Patriot League play next weekend. 

Notable

• Prinzez Zeck had a career-high four solo blocks, along with a block assist, and five kills for 9.5 points on the day. 
• Sophie Dufour and Salme Adeele Hollas hit well, combining for just three errors. Dufour led the way with 12 kills, and Hollas with 11. 
• Elise Sterling had eight kills and hit a team-leading .636 on 11 total attempts. 
• The Eagles had just 38 kills as a team, their second-lowest number this season. 
• Deniz Dakak dished out 31 assists, staying above 30 in every match this season so far. 

How it Happened

• Howard won the first two sets by the same score, 25-20. 
• In the first frame, the Eagles had just 10 kills to 19 for the Bison. With the score 12-11, the home side outscored AU 13-9 the rest of the way. 
• AU looked stronger in the second set, opening up a 5-0 run in the early stages to grab an 8-5 lead. The Eagles forced four of the five straight points, including kills from Sterling and Hollas, and two aces from Alex Ioannou. 
• Tied 14-14, the Bison went on a 5-0 run of their own to take firm control over the set. AU got within three at 22-19, but kills from Alexys James, Kennedi Wright, and Zenai Jethroe sealed the win for Howard. 
• The third set was the closest and most intense of the afternoon. The Eagles continued to create positive moments, but were unable to overcome a resilient effort from Howard. 
• The best stretch for AU came on a 7-0 run, which included four points from Zeck alone. Dakak found her for two kills, and the 6'2 middle blocker also denied an attack attempt from Jethroe. The Eagles were up 14-10 after the spurt. 
• Trailing 23-19, the Bison roared back into the match with four straight points to tie the score. After a service ace by Hailie McGinist gave Howard a 25-24 lead, Sterling came up with a kill to bring AU back even. 
• Tied up again at 27-27, James and Wright put down kills to win the set and complete the sweep. 

Up Next

• The Eagles open Patriot Leeague play next weekend at home, beginning with a matchup against two-time defending conference champion Colgate on Friday, Sep. 19 at 6 p.m. They'll turn around to host Army the next day at 4 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).