SPARKILL, N.Y. – The East Stroudsburg University volleyball team wrapped up a successful weekend by defeating Saint Thomas Aquinas in straight sets (25-23, 25-13, 25-17) and Caldwell in four sets (25-14, 25-14, 22-25, 25-22) on Saturday at Aquinas Hall.

With the victories, the Warriors improved to 6-2 and are riding a four-match winning streak into their home opener on Friday. The Spartans dropped to 4-4, while the Cougars fell to 0-4.

Notables vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas

• Anna Coulter led the offense with 16 kills on 21 attempts, posting a very efficient .762 hitting percentage. She also contributed four block assists and two digs.
• Allison Oberlin-Pope reached double-digit kills with 10 and added five digs defensively.
• Hanna Garrison and Allison Birtcil each combined for 13 kills.
• Taylor Haan distributed 33 assists and totaled four blocks and four digs.
• Leonor Chambel (12 digs) and Makaela McComas (11 digs) combined for 23 digs against the Spartans.

How It Happened vs. Saint Thomas Aquinas:

• First Set (25-23): The Warriors surged ahead 8-2, but the Spartans fought back to tie it at 13-13, 14-14, and 15-15. With ESU leading 17-15, STAC pulled ahead at 20-18. The Warriors closed strong, registering seven of the final 10 points of the set to take a 1-0 lead.
• Second Set (25-13): After a close start (11-10), the Warriors built a 17-11 advantage and pulled away to win the second set, 25-13.
• Third Set (25-17): Holding a 12-11 lead, ESU extended its lead to 17-11 after five consecutive points. The Warriors maintained at least a three-point lead the rest of the way, closing the set with four consecutive points for the sweep.

Notables vs. Caldwell

• Garrison led the way with 17 kills (.250 hitting percentage) and posted seven digs.
• Coulter totaled 15 kills on 29 attempts (.379 hitting percentage), four block assists, and three service aces.
• Haan and Katalin Kovacs split time at setter, with Haan totaling 23 assists and Kovacs adding 21 helpers.
• Chambel reached 20-plus digs for the fourth time this season, leading ESU with 22.

How It Happened vs. Caldwell:

• First Set (25-14): The Warriors started with a 6-0 lead and maintained control throughout the set. Leading 20-10, ESU cruised to a 25-14 first set win.
• Second Set (25-14): With the score tied at 12-12 after a competitive start, ESU took full control with 10 unanswered points. Leading 20-12, ESU registered points on five of the final seven to grab a 2-0 lead.
• Third Set (22-25): ESU trailed 6-1 early before matching CU's score at 6-6. The runs continued, and with the set tied at 17-17, the Cougars earned six straight points to grab a 23-17 advantage. ESU cut the deficit to just two at set point, but Caldwell ultimately won the third set, 25-22.
• Fourth Set (25-22): After a back-and-forth battle with eight ties and four lead changes, ESU earned the four-set victory after a late rally. Caldwell led 18-16 before a four-point outburst lifted the Warriors to a 20-18 lead. ESU refused to relinquish the set, closing strong to win the final set, 25-22.

Up Next

• The Warriors will head home for the next eight matches, with their home opener scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, against Holy Family at 5 p.m. The Warriors will then host a tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 21, with ESU battling Saint Anselm at noon and Jefferson at 5 p.m.