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EAST STROUDSBURG – Sophomore Sarah Smith posted her third double-double in as many matches with 16 kills and 17 digs, but East Stroudsburg University ended up on the short end of three close sets in a 3-0 defeat to Lock Haven on Saturday afternoon. Set scores were 29-27, 26-24, 25-23.

The Warriors (11-9, 2-7 PSAC) had set points in each of the first two frames, and they were up late in the third, but the Bald Eagles (10-11, 3-6 PSAC) rallied for comebacks in each set. Chloe Williams (11 kills, .611 %), Breanna McDonald (12 kills) and Veronica Morrison (10 kills, 11 digs) led the way statistically for the visitors.

Smith was dominant in the first set, nearly clinching her ninth double-double of the year in that set alone with 10 kills (.360 %) and nine digs to pace the ESU attack. Trailing 24-22, the Warriors won three-straight points, the last on an ace by senior Lydia Redman, to earn their first of three set points in the frame. Lock Haven, though, ultimately outlasted the home side to take a 1-0 lead.

Set two played out in similarly tight fashion, with neither side leading by more than four points throughout. A kill by sophomore Jasmine Williams put ESU in front 24-23 before the visitors rallied to claim each of the next three points and double their set advantage.

The Warriors pulled themselves out of a 17-12 hole in the third to take a late 22-21 advantage, but the Bald Eagles again responded to win four of the final five points to close out the match.

Senior Rosa Veliky, sophomore Sam Dunphy and senior Desiree Claxton joined Smith in double figures defensively with 18, 12 and 10 digs, respectively. Claxton ranked second on the team with nine kills, while Dunphy followed with eight kills for the home side.

ESU had a 7-3 advantage in blocks, with senior Courtney Miller leading the way with five block assists. Claxton followed with three blocks, and Dunphy and Williams each added two.

The Warriors will now hit the road for each of their next four contests, beginning with a 7 p.m. road PSAC Southeast division matchup at Cheyney on Friday.