October 2nd, 2008.  Quincy, Mass. – Mount Ida (9-8) extends win streak to three as they hand Eastern Nazarene (5-8) 3-0 loss. Catching the Crusaders from behind to tie the score at 18-18, the Mustangs reeled off six straight points to secure the first game with a 25-20 win.  The Crusaders could not recover as the Mustangs carried this momentum into games two and three, winning 25-11 and 25-14.

In game one the Crusaders Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) and Kaitlyn Yoder (Smithburg, MD) tallied 8 kills between the two to propel the close game.  But the two could not keep up the pace they only tallied two more in the next two games, each finishing with 5 kills a piece over the entire match.  Rebekah Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) led the Crusaders in assists with 20 and Jami Swedick (Averill Park, NY) came up with 10 digs on the evening. 

Eastern Nazarene continues this week of non-conference games as they host a tri-match with Rhode Island College and Clark University on Saturday, October 4th starting at 10:00 am while Mount Ida's next match is Saturday at Simmons College with a 1:00 pm first serve.

Ludwick leads Eastern Nazarene to 3-2 win over Lesley. 

September 30th, 2008.  Quincy, Mass. – Senior captain Christina Ludwick (Meredith, NH) led Eastern Nazarene's charge tonight as she recorded 16 digs, 21 assists and 5 service aces in the five set win over visiting Lesley University.  "Christina played well and consistent on both offense and defense tonight," commented Coach Johnston.  Well enough that the home team would snap a three game losing streak in a close five setter, (23-25, 25-12, 22-25, 25-14 and 15-13). 

Allison Aupperlee (Quincy, Mass.) had her share of defense as the junior led the Crusaders with 20 digs and teammate Amber Burns (Fall River, Mass.) led ENC's attack with 10 kills. 

Eastern Nazarene College climbs to 5-7 on the season as they enter this week of non-conference games, continuing on Thursday vs. Mount Ida College at 7:00 pm and then on Saturday in a tri-match with Rhode Island College and Clark University. 

Eastern Nazarene fast start halts to University of New England, 3-1.

September 24th, 2008.  Quincy, Mass. – Staring across the net at the The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) league leaders, the Crusaders picked off the first set with a close 25-23 win.  But the visitors came back to win the match in three straight sets forcing the Crusaders into errors while leaning on their 6'0" middle hitter in sets two, three and four (25-13, 25-17 and 25-28) to go away with the win and remain atop the TCCC Standings.   

Eastern Nazarene's Kaitlyn Yoder (Smithsburg, MD) led the Crusaders to the game one win with her 5 kills, including the set winner.  ENC was led by Yoder's 10 kills as teammate Allison Aupperlee (Quincy, Mass.) followed with 4 kills and 4 aces.

Eastern Nazarene remains winless in TCCC play, 0-3 and go to 4-5 on the season.  The Crusaders travel to Colby-Sawyer College this Saturday, September 27th as they play in a TCCC tri-match with the Chargers and the Seahawks of Salve Regina University. 

Crusaders Sweep St. Joe's and MCLA to Win Non-Conference Tri-Match.

WEST HARTFORD, Conn., September 6, 2008 – St. Joseph's stayed in the contest with two tight game contests, but the Crusades were too strong winning in three over the Blue Jays. (25-16, 25-23, 26-24),

The Crusaders shot out of the gate to a 5-0 lead as senior outside hitter Christina Ludwig (Meredith, N.H.) was on serve in the early going.  The Blue Jays got on the board before the home team climbed back into the lead, 8-5.  Consistent play on both sides of the net kept the Crusaders in the lead, 20-14, before the Crusaders closed out the opening set on a 5-2 run to win 25-16. 

The second set saw the Blue Jays get off to a 6-3 start, but the Crusaders marched back to knot the game at seven-all on a pair of Blue Jay errors.  The Crusaders then took an 11-7 lead following four straight service points from senior libero Jami Swedick (Averill Park, N.Y.).  Being down 24-20, St. Joseph's fought off four straight set points, but the Crusaders closed out the set 25-23 to take a commanding 2-0 match advantage. 

Ludwick would serve four straight points to open the third set, including a pair of aces, and the Crusaders quickly held a 7-2 advantage.  The Blue Jays would not go down quietly, however, rallying all the way back to take a 9-8 lead.  A back-and-forth tempo saw the game knotted at 22 and then again at 24 as ENC fought off a set point.  The Crusaders would then close out the match with consecutive points to take the final set 26-24. 

The Crusaders were led by Ludwick’s 14 assists while freshman Kaitlyn Yoder (Smithburg, Md.) picked up eight digs and seven different players registered at least two kills. 

-Information for match two vs. MCLA not yet available.

Eastern Nazarene hosts Salem State on Tuesday, Sept. 9th at 7:00 pm for their first home match of the season.

Crusaders Caught from Behind in Season Opener.  Fall in Four, 3-1.

September 4th, 2008.  North Dartmouth, Mass.- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s volleyball team came from behind to defeat visiting Eastern Nazarene, 19-25, 26-24, 25-16, 25-14, in the 2008 season opener at the Tripp Athletic Center Thursday evening.

The Corsairs rallied from a 22-17 deficit in the second game to come back and tie the match, then won the final two games to seal the victory. Sophomore Casandra Auguste (Montgomery Village, MD) controlled the middle well, but the Corsairs took advantage of the outsides to narrowly take game two and then rode the momentum in games three and four for the win. 

ENC will visit St. Joseph’s (Conn.) on Saturday in search of their first win of the season.

2008 Preview: A Mature Team in 2008

September 2nd, 2008.  Quincy, Mass. The Eastern Nazarene Women’s Volleyball team is banking on an improvement from their 2007 season and TCCC Quarterfinal playoff appearance.

The 2007 Volleyball team ended the season with a 10-17 record and exited the playoffs with a tough four game loss in the TCCC Quarterfinals to the #1 seeded Gulls from Endicott. “Last year we battled through some injuries and really started clicking at the end of the year. Hopefully with everyone healthy we will be able to work together better and take our game to the next level.”  Coach Mike Johnston comments.  

The team has a great mix of experience, talent, and youth in 2008 and will look to use its’ versatility to be successful this year.  Returning starters include seniors: Rebekah Sorensen, Christina Ludwick, Janna Fernandes and Jami Swedick. They have played together for the last three years and will lead the team on and off the court.  Also returning will be the two best offensive players from last year: Cassandra Auguste Honorable Mention TCCC Team who totaled 314 kills and 71 blocks and Amber Burns who had 78 blocks and 200 kills in the 2007 season. Junior Allison Aupperlee (Quincy, MA) and freshmen Kaitlyn Yoder (Hagerstown, MD) round out the top starting candidates for the Crusaders.

Coach Johnston reveals that, “We have promised each other to work hard, be versatile, and have a positive attitude for this coming season.”  It is true that the degree to which a team can hold to these principles, will be a real indicator of what success they may have.  This group of experienced Lady Crusaders is poised to lead the team another round closer to the TCCC Championship.