| CEU alumni gave the Lady Eagles a tight match on Saturday night. The volleyball team’s eight freshman were introduced to collegiate competition by the strongest alumni team to ever participate. |
In the closest Alumni game ever, CEU Lady Eagles squeaked out a win over the combined team of former players.
CEU got off to an early lead, winning the first two games 30-27 and 30-26.
Outside hitter Jordan Fox and opposite Sandra Sorenson kept the Lady Eagles ahead with their devestating kills, despite the acrobatic attempts of the alumni.
Fox, a sophomore, lead the match with 14 kills. Sorenson had 10 kills and three blocks.
But, the alumni team battled back to win the third and fourth game.
The Lady Eagles ran into some hitting errors in the third game and the alumni play was strong through the fourth.
CEU won the fifth game 15-12.
Coach Brent Martindale said no alumni team has ever won a game against his squad. Nearly winning the match was a little unexpected.
Martindale said he thought his team played well and his returning players showed leadership for the newcomers.
“Our experience helped us win,” Martindale explained. “For nine of the players, this was their first college game. I was very happy with the team.”
Freshman outside hitter Amy Collette said the game was a change from practice scrimmages.
“I think our team practices really competitively, but it’s a little different with a lot of people there and such a fast pace,” Collette commented.
CEU will play in the Salt Lake Community College tournament this weekend.
The tournament, formally hosted by Utah Valley State College, is touted as one of the toughest in the nation for junior colleges.
Martindale said his hopes for the tournament are to come away with a winning record.
CEU’s next home game is Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. against Dixie.