Washington, D.C. – In their first match of the American Volleyball Classic, the Eagles battled to the end with the host team, but couldn not get it done in the fifth set (25-22, 16-25, 28-26, 19-25, 14-16). The Eagles had a tough turnaround and came up short against the Temple Owls (25-18, 25-20, 25-12). 
 
American University 
Set 1-The Eagles started the first set in an early deficit but a kill from Benitez stopped a 4-0 American run. The Eagles went on a run of their own, tying the set 13-13, a Morgan Bossler block gave them a lead they would not lose. They were led by strong attacking from middle blockers, Makayla Doyle and Bossler. 
 
Set 2- Unforced errors, coupled with American's strong offense, plagued the Eagles in the second set. The Eagles had just 11 kills as a team in the second set, compared to the 16 they put away in the first. American had 16 kills with just three errors for a .433 hitting efficiency in the set. 
 
Set 3– Once again, the Eagles found themselves in a four-point hole early in the set. Bossler came up big with a stuff block at 6-3 and an American error brought the Eagles within two. An offensive run by American cushioned their lead, 16-12, but the Eagles were not going to be put away early and staged a late comeback to tie the set, 18-18. American went on another run, bringing the set to set point, 24-21. A costly error by American and a big kill from Bossler saved the set for the Eagles. Benitez put up a huge block to tie the set 24-24, Bossler and Siani Yamaguchi answered Benitez with huge plays at the net to take a 2-1 match lead. 
 
Set 4– The fourth set looked eerily similar to the second set; unforced errors and American's offense created a deficit the Eagles could not overcome. They had just 8 kills and five errors off 25 attempts for a .120 hitting percentage.

Set 5– After exchanging points to start the set, an ace serve by Yamaguchi and a kill from Emily Wunder put the Eagles up one, but a block by American tied the set 4-4. Three Winthrop errors in a row put American on top, 7-4.  A consecutive kill and block from Bossler halted the American run and tied the set; another Bossler kill and a Benitez block put the Eagles back within one, 13-12. Bossler controlled the net through the fifth set, stopping three American attempts and put away a kill of her own to tie the set 13-13. American finished the set with a 3-1 run; Coach Rey attempted a challenge on the last play but the call on the floor remained in American's favor. 
 
Inside the Box Score
Bossler and Benitez each had 12 kills for the Eagles. Bossler hit a.345 and had seven digs, six blocks, and one service ace. Yamaguchi recorded her fouth double-double of the season with 40 assists and 18 digs. Doyle finished the match with 10 kills, .471 hitting percentage, and three blocks. 

Helena Elbaek had a match high 17 kills with 15 digs for American. Setter, Olivia Wassner had 51 assists and led her team to a .259 match hitting percentage. 
 
Temple University
Set 1- Temple jumped out to a quick 5-0 run on the Eagles, even extending their lead to 15-3. Behind multiple Benitez kills and Doyle's strong blocking, the Eagles shortened the lead but the Owls reached set point, 24-18. The Eagles had just 11 kills with eight errors off 42 attempts in the set. 
 
Set 2– Another 4-1 start for Temple created issues for the Eagles but they picked up the intensity and tied the set 12-12. Winthrop continued to trail behind the strong offensive showing by Temple. The Eagles improved their hitting percentage just slightly from the first set but Temple increased their efficiency from .250 to .268. 
 
Set 3– The Eagles ran out of steam after their marathon game against American and could not pull together a complete set. They finished the match with just 30 kills and 21 errors for a .073 hitting efficiency. 
 
Inside the Box Score
Benitez once again led the Eagles with eight match kills and Bossler finished with four total blocks and five kills. Gem Grimshaw had a match high 15 kills and .387 hitting efficiency for Temple. Averi Salvador finished with a match high 20 digs. 
 
Next Up 
The Eagles complete the American Volleyball Classic tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET when they take on the Bobcats of Ohio University.