ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – The Gallaudet University men's volleyball team dropped a non-conference match here Wednesday evening to Eastern University. The host Eagles won in straight sets 25-18, 25-9, 25-14.

Gallaudet (0-10) hung around with Eastern (11-5) in the first set as the Bison only trailed by two points, 9-7, before the Eagles scored the next six points. GU would cut the margin down to five points, 17-12, but that was as close as the Bison got.

In the second set, Eastern jumped out to an early 8-1 lead and later led 14-3. Gallaudet was held to single digits as the Eagles scored the final five points to win the set 25-9.

GU scored the first point in the third set, its only lead of the night, and stayed within several points of the Eagles for the first half of the set. Eastern led 15-11 and outscored Gallaudet, 10-4, down the stretch to win the set and match.

First-year setter Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) led the Bison with 11 assists, a match-high nine digs, two kills and one service ace. First-year outside hitter Ben Beyer (Janesville, Wis.) had a team-high five kills. First years Kodi Lee (Lehi, Utah) and Elijah Watters (Victorville, Calif.) had three kills each in the loss.

Eastern was paced by Connor Tucholski who finished with a match-high eight kills and four blocks.

UP NEXT
GU will travel out to Erie, Pa., this weekend for a tri-match at Penn St.-Behrend on Sunday, Feb. 23. The Bison will go up against Bethany College and the host Lions at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.