Army Volleyball Falls To American In Three Games

Rubena Sukaj tallied a match-high 17 kills and added five blocks to lead the visiting American Eagles to a 3-0 sweep over host Army Friday evening at Gillis Field House. American (19-6, 10-0) swept the Black Knights by scores of 30-21, 30-22 and 30-25 to remain undefeated in Patriot League play. The Black Knights drop to 17-7 overall and 7-3 in the conference.

Army came out strong in the first game, scoring four of the first five points of the stanza. Sukaj’s first of 17 kills started a three-point run for the Eagles, tying the set, 4-4. It was the first of five ties in the game, with the last coming at 12-12. The Eagles held the upper hand the remainder of the game, but the Black Knights chipped away at the lead and drew to within one point midway through the game, 17-16. Army hung tough through the next few exchanges but got no closer than two points the rest of the way as American took the first game, 30-21.

The second and third games were much tighter and although the Black Knights led on several occasions, the Eagles remained in striking distance. In fact, down 12-11 in game two, the Black Knights strung together four consecutive points, including three from Danielle Cooper, to take their largest lead of the frame. However, Elizabeth Maloney put American ahead, 18-17, and the Eagles put the game away, 30-22, for a 2-0 advantage.

The third game was another heated battle which saw the Black Knights jump out to a 14-8 advantage which forced American to call timeout. American tied the score on two occasions before the Eagles answered to take the lead, 24-23, and finished off the Black Knights in three games.

Briana Stremick totaled 12 kills, six digs and two solo blocks on the night, while Danielle Cooper chipped in 10 kills and seven digs. Eileen Cassidy finished with 14 digs and Maureen Bannon dished out 35 assists in the losing cause.

The Black Knights next take on arch-rival Navy on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Gillis Field House The match is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m. and be televised to a national audience on ESPNU.

Pictured: Briana Stremick Photo Credit: AAC