LANGHORNE, PA – They say that whenever conference play rolls around you can expect the level of intensity to increase.

If that’s the case, then Tuesday most definitely didn’t disappoint.

As if playing in their opening CSAC match of the year wasn’t enough, the Crimson Eagles added fuel to the fire by hosting heated rival Baptist Bible College to kick off the conference season. In front of a packed house, the Crimson Eagles dispatched of the Defenders 3-1 during a match that probably wasn’t as easy as the final score indicates.

The host squad rolled during the first set 25-15 to take a 1-0 lead. But a serious wake-up call on the part of Baptist saw the Defenders reverse fortunes in round two as the visitors bounced PBU 25-14.

Tied 1-1 entering the third set, Baptist went ahead 16-14 and held seeming control and momentum. But things would quickly change.

The Crimson eagles rattled off nine unanswered points to help steal the third frame and ultimately the match. Their eventual 25-17 triumph in game three paved the way for a 25-12 pouncing in the final and deciding game.

To compound matters for Baptist, one of the Defenders' top players was forced to sit out late in the contest due to an injury. Nonetheless, with the tide officially shifted, the Crimson Eagles ended up collecting their first CSAC win of the year behind a performance that saw PBU wrack up 15 aces on the night.

Betsy Ranck tallied 24 assists and four aces in the win and Rachel Calderon chipped in with nine digs and eight kills. Kay Lynn Zeiset and Tanya Jendrek posted 11 and nine digs, respectively.

PBU improves to 5-4 on the year with a 1-0 mark in the CSAC. Baptist Bible College slips to 1-8.

The Crimson Eagles will return to action on Friday when the team heads to Phoenixville to take on Lancaster Bible College and Valley Forge Christian College in a tri-match, beginning at 6:00 pm.