BALTIMORE -- Ariel Richard had a career-high 15 kills and Christina Epps added a season-high 10 kills, but it was not enough to offset a strong hitting performance from American as the Eagles spoiled Coppin State's home debut with a 25-16, 31-29, 25-17 win on Wednesday in the Physical Education Complex.

American, which improved to 4-3 on the season, was led by Sara Rishell who had 15 kills and posted a .571 hitting percentage. Morgan Hendrix added eight kills and a .500 attack percentage as American hit .329 as a team for the match.

American also out-blocked Coppin State 8-3 and had 27 digs compared to 25 for the Eagles.

Richard topped her previous career high of 13 kills against Chicago State and also hit .385 and had nine digs.

Epps reached double figures in kills for the first time this season with 10. Vanity Massey added five kills and Janka Schmitt had four kills.

After American won the first set 25-16, Coppin State had a chance to get right back into the match but couldn't finish off American in the second set.

The second set was tightly contested throughout as neither team held more than a four-point lead.

Trailing 24-22 and facing set point, Coppin State rallied to tie the score at 24-24 on a kill by Salena Weekly and an American attack error.

CSU had a chance to win the second set after a Schmitt kill gave the Eagles a 25-24 lead, but a Coppin State attack error knotted the score at 25-25.

Coppin State had three more set point opportunities, but couldn't cash in on any of them.

American finally won the second set 31-29 on a pair of Coppin State attack errors.

American scored the final five points in the third set to pull away and clinch the set, and the match.

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