Central Connecticut’s volleyball team did not get the results they were looking for in the Jack Kaiser Volleyball Classic over the weekend, losing in three of their four games.

In their first match of the season, the opposing Eastern Michigan Eagles were able to defeat the Blue Devils in straight sets, securing a 3-0 victory. The Eagles took over from the start of the match, putting up an early 15-5 lead. Central went on a late run to bring it to 18-14 before Eastern Michigan would close out the set 25-18.

The second set would prove to be more of the same as the Eagles opened up with a 5-1 run and would end the set with a 5-0 run to take a 25-12 win.

The match’s third set started off, unlike the rest, with back and forth scoring between the teams until the Eagles could go on yet another run that ultimately led to a 25-20 win of the set and sweep of the match.

Last year’s breakout star for Central, junior Madelyn Kaprelyan, showcased more of her skills in this match, posting a team-high seven kills to go along with senior Katelyn Kushman’s twelve digs which also led the team.

In the second game of the day, the Blue Devils looked to bounce back against the St. John’s Red Storm, the host of the tournament.

The Red Storm overcame Central in the first set, winning 25-18 in quick fashion. The Blue Devils would retaliate during the second set and go on a quick 9-3 run before sophomore outside hitter Emma Henderson would score on an ace to seal a Central win 25-20.

The Blue Devils showcased more dominance in the third set, taking an early 12-2 lead and finishing the set with a 25-10 victory after another kill by Kaprelyan.

The fourth set in the match proved to be an exciting one, as the teams battled closely throughout. Central was able to tie the match-up at 22 a piece, but the Red Storm stayed alive by just barely taking the set, 25-23.

The fifth and final set went in similar fashion to the fourth, a barn burner by both sides. After a kill by Kaprelyan, Central was only trailing 13-12. The Red Storm would close the gap on to straight scores to win the final set and match of the day 15-13.

Senior outside hitter Rachel Quirarte shined for the Blue Devils in the tough-fought match, adding in 19 kills and 14 digs. Sophomore Ashlyn Eisenga led the team with 26 digs, while junior Erin McDermott held an impressive team-high 27 assists.

For the second day of the tournament, Central looked to erase the memories of the day prior against opponents Manhattan and Fordham.

Central opened up Saturday with a fire ignited in them from their two losses on Friday. They were able to break a 22-22 tie late in the first set after another clutch kill by Kaprelyan that started a 3-0 run that led to the victory.

The second set was more of the same from Central, who led throughout the set and won in an easy 25-18 fashion.

Struggles during the third set left Central trailing 10-6 to Manhattan early. The Blue Devils rallied to tie the game at 16 by way of a Kushman kill. Central never looked back after tying the game, sitting in the lead until back-to-back blocks won the set and match, 25-20, securing the first win of the Blue Devils’ season.

Central looked for similar results in their second game against the Fordham Rams. Blue Devils volleyball would take the first set after multiple errors by the Rams, and finish the game with 33. Despite holding a late 19-16 lead during the second set, Fordham would score four straight to take the second set.

After a quick third set that saw Fordham win 25-18, a crucial fourth set for the Blue Devils turned back a quick game of back and forth. A Kaprelyan kill would tie the game at 23, but Central could not answer following two straight scores from the Rams, dropping the closely-contested set 25-23 and lost the match 3-1.

Central will look to improve from their tournament weekend with a match at Hartford on Aug. 29.