COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Eastern Kentucky could not be rattled by a Golden Eagle comeback and pulled off a 3-1 victory. Tech stole the second set, and made a late comeback in the fourth, but it wasn't enough to send the match to five.

Set scores for the Colonels were 25-22, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19. 

The Golden Eagles were led by Natalie Penrod and Kelsey Gray, who each turned in 11 kills. Gray, who leads the Ohio Valley Conference with 1.37 blocks per set, turned in an eight kill performance, four of the blocks were solo. Middle Blocker Madison Keyes knocked down four block assists and Cody Dodd had one solo block and three block assissts. Elise Robertson contributed three blocks, including one solo hightlight the reason Tech is one of the best blocking teams in the conference. 

"We're a better blocking team, but Ashley Edmond got on a roll and we couldn't make a play. Defense can only take you so far. We need to bring our offense to the level of defense that we're playing". 

Courtney Smith recorded 22 digs, and Madison Comperry sprawled for 13. Comperry dished out 19 assists with Ashleigh Hancock adding 12. 

Freshman pinhitters contributed 11 kills to the Golden Eagle effort, with Audrey Lewis putting away seven balls, and Dodd terminating five. 

"We were in this match. It was one that we should win nine times out of ten, but you have to give EKU credit. If you're going to lose, you better be playing your best and tonight, we had moments of our best, but we need more than moments". 

The Golden Eagles return to action Saturday as they host defending OVC champions Morehead State. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Hooper-Eblen Center.