Box Score

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Junior Desiree Claxton registered her third-straight double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs, and junior Sarah Fillman added a career-high 10 kills, but it was not enough as East Stroudsburg University was eliminated from PSAC playoff contention with a 3-1 loss at West Chester on Friday evening. Set scores were 25-13, 25-13, 16-25, 25-20.

Karleigh Lutz and Amy Kovacs had 13 kills apiece to lead the Golden Rams (21-10, 8-9 PSAC), who clinched first place in the PSAC Southeast division. West Chester hit over 30 percent in each of the first two sets to open up a commanding advantage.

The Warriors (13-18, 5-12 PSAC) never led in the opening set, dropping 12 of the first 16 points. The two sides were tied 7-7 in the second set, but the Golden Rams won six of the next eight points and gradually expanded their advantage for the remainder of the frame.

ESU got back into the match in the third set. With the visitors already holding a 12-9 advantage, freshman Jasmine Williams assisted a block and added a kill during a 4-0 stretch which increased the margin up to seven points. Williams was dominant at the net all night, registering a season-high seven blocks (1 BS, 6 BA), and she has at least three blocks in each of the past five matches.

Back-to-back aces by junior Erica Cunningham moved the Warrior lead up to 19-10. West Chester rattled off six-straight points to get within three, but ESU won six of the final seven points to force a fourth set.

A Fillman kill and an ace by junior Katie Shumanis highlighted a 4-0 stretch which gave the Warriors a 10-6 lead in that frame. Sophomore Tina Predojevic added an ace of her own shortly afterward to increase the advantage up to 12-7.

The Golden Rams slowly began to chip away, retaking the lead at 16-15. ESU remained within one point at 19-18 when the home side went on a 5-0 run to put the match out of reach.

Claxton put up yet another strong effort in the defeat. Her .225 attack percentage was among the team leaders, and she has supplied 60 digs over the past three matches. Claxton also posted her fifth double-double in the team's last seven matches.

Fillman had just set a career-high with nine kills in Tuesday's victory over Kutztown, and she surpassed that total by one tonight. Her 10 kills came with a .194 attack percentage.

Junior Rosa Veliky added 14 digs defensively, reaching double figures for a fifth-straight match.

ESU closes out the 2016 season with a 1 p.m. road contest at Cheyney on Saturday afternoon.