Last Saturday, Eckerd Volleyball defeated Palm Beach Atlantic 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 26-24) in a hard-fought match. The team was forced to rally together in order to pull off the win during the third set. Coach Courtney Draper said the key to winning the set was the display of composure on the court by her players in high-pressure situations. Strong serves also played a big role in defeating what Coach Draper described as "one of the best Palm Beach Atlantic teams" she had seen in recent years. The close win improved the team's overall record to 6-3.
The team has faced one of the toughest schedules Eckerd Volleyball, now ranked 21st in the country, has ever played to this date. However, the team is not letting a tough slate of opponents get in their way of winning games. Currently they are on a five-match winning streak that has Coach Draper excited and proud about the rest of the season.
"They are very focused, driven, and disciplined," Draper said. Hopefully, these qualities will shine through as the team heads south this weekend to start play in the Sunshine State Conference, which for volleyball is one of the toughest Division II conferences in the country.
To prepare for this weekend's matches the team has been practicing intensely with mixed competition where the best players play against each other to improve overall individual skills. Later in the week, the team breaks down into the potential starting team to work out strategies for each opponent.
Friday at 7 p.m., the team will take on Lynn who has been getting votes the past two weeks in the latest AVCA Division II Top 25 poll while on Saturday at 4 p.m., the Tritons play Nova Southeastern who has been in the top 25 since the beginning of the season.
When asked about the expectations for these games Coach Draper said, "They will be battles. I expect there will probably be multiple sets but I feel confident."
Draper went on to conclude that the keys to victory in the upcoming matches will be having the setters set up the offense because both of the outsides, both of the right sides, and both of the middles have been extremely successful for the team.
Leadership and composure are two qualities that have been successful in helping the team win matches thus far. This weekend they will be leaning on those qualities as they head into conference play. The team plans on maintaining its focus and composure as it continues its winning streak, which will hopefully lead to one of the more successful seasons the program has had.
