WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- After a rough start, the Eckerd Tritons (16-9) recovered to defeat the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish (11-12), 3-2 (10-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 15-13) on Friday evening at PBA's Rubin Arena. The victory was the Tritons' third straight in a span of four consecutive five-set thrillers.
With Palm Beach Atlantic amidst their annual Fall Break and the crowd somewhat smaller that typical, the Sailfish still managed to put together a great overall performance in front of the home crowd as they jumped out on the Tritons with a dominating 25-10 opening set victory. Eckerd, who has been ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 coaches poll for much of the season, was limited to a -.070 team hitting percentage with only six kills and nine errors in 38 total attempts.
There wouldn't be any giving up on the Tritons sideline however as they stormed back for a 25-21 victory of their own in set number two as the team regrouped while limiting PBA to a .157 overall hitting percentage and producing a match-high .275 overall mark.
Back came the Fish in set three with a tight 25-23 win followed by a 25-19 win for EC in set four. It came down to the fifth-set tie-breaker with the Tritons holding on 15-13 after trailing 13-12.
Jennifer Eldridge, who has led the Sailfish hitting efforts all season long, saved one of her best performances of the season on Friday as she led all players with 17 kills (.192 attacking percentage) while putting together yet another double-double with 14 digs.
On the Tritons side, they were led by
Lydee Benoit who led the team with 14 kills while adding in 16 digs.
Taylor Whaley and
Allegra Shaw also produced solid nights with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Shaw proved valuable as a blocker with three solo blocks and four block assists while hitting at a match-high .409 overall hitting percentage.
Hallie Ward came away with a career-high 31 digs while
Megan Golovkin handled a majority of the setting duties with 40 total assists.
Eckerd will return to action on Saturday as it returns home to battle the Florida Tech Panthers in SSC action at 4pm at the McArthur Center.
