Battles Odessa College on Thursday in the consolation bracket
Contributed Article/Courtesy EAC
CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE – The Eastern Arizona College women’s volleyball team showcased grit and determination in their opening match at the DI NJCAA National Tournament in Clarksville, Tennessee. Facing the formidable #2 seed Miami Dade College, the Lady Monsters delivered an intense performance, proving they belonged on the national stage.
EAC came out strong in the first set, stunning Miami Dade with a thrilling 27-25 victory. However, the Sharks bounced back in the second set, taking it 25-16. The third set was a nail-biter, with the teams exchanging points until Miami Dade pulled ahead for a 25-19 win. Despite their best efforts in the fourth set, the Lady Monsters fell 25-20, ending the match in a hard-fought 3-1 loss.
The Lady Monsters’ standout performances came from Elisa Saunders and Brianna O’Donnal, who both tallied 11 kills. Hannah Pushckor was a force at the net, recording eight blocks, while libero Kadence Moore anchored the defense with 18 digs and a service ace. Melanie Merrill also contributed significantly with seven kills and 17 digs.
While the loss moves EAC into the consolation bracket, their journey is far from over. The Lady Monsters will face Odessa College on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 10 a.m. CST (9:00 a.m. MST) as they continue their battle for a ninth-place finish in the tournament. The game will be streamed on the NJCAA Network at https://www.njcaa.org/network/landing/index.
