CHARLESTON, S.C. – College of Charleston lost the opening match of the season to Eastern Kentucky in four sets (16-25, 25-20, 21-25, 12-25) Friday evening in TD Arena.
 
Sophomore Emma Duffield and graduate student Izzy Marinelli each recorded 10 kills for the Cougars in the setback while freshman Jumana Martin had a match high 14 digs. AG Hynes registered 16 kills and a .538 hitting percentage for the Colonels.
 
CRITICAL POINTS AGAINST EASTERN KENTUCKY:

• Junior Lauren Dow collected a double-double with 33 assists and 12 digs.
• Freshman Caroline Noonan hit .556 with six kills in Charleston's second-set victory.
• Four different Cougars each tallied two blocks in the loss.

 
OF NOTE:

• Charleston and Eastern Kentucky met for the first time in program history on Friday.
• CofC has had a newcomer register a double-double in the opening match for the second consecutive year. Emily Banitt recorded 19 kills and 11 digs on Aug. 30, 2024, against Western Carolina
• Martin, Noonan and fellow freshmen Julia Gnida and Makena Parthen all made their collegiate debuts.

 
UP NEXT:
Charleston continues the CofC Classic Aug. 30 with an 11 a.m. match against Appalachian State.
 
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