Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After fashioning an undefeated record during the month of October, the 22nd-ranked Eckerd College volleyball program started November on the same note by sweeping Saint Leo University on Tuesday night, 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-16).
Three Tritons (22-3, 11-2 SSC) recorded eight kills each to help control all facets of the match against Lions (12-13, 5-8 SSC) in order to complete the regular-season sweep. Eckerd also ran its school-record win streak to 13 straight after jumping into the AVCA Top-25 Coaches Poll at the 22 slot.
Newly-announced AVCA Div. II National Player of the Week
Lindsay Biggs had eight kills while senior
Ariana Chinn and junior
Alex Laton equaled her offensive output. Laton controlled the defensive tempo with four blocks as Saint Leo hit into 20 attacking errors on the night.
After the Lions threw a scare into the Tritons in their previous meeting this season, a five-set battle, Eckerd came out on a clear mission.
“Our kids are just dialed in right now and beginning to realize the special potential they have,” EC Head Coach Courtney Draper said. “They are focused and are very willing to do whatever they need to do in order go to deep in the postseason.”
Senior setter
Bri Smith inched closer to becoming the school's third-leading all-time assist leader, racking up 16 more against Saint Leo. She is just three assists shy of tying Megan Golovkin (2006-2009) for third in the record books.
Laton set the defensive tempo early for the Tritons as she blocked the Sunshine State Conference's second-leading hitter, Danielle Bletso, point blank in the middle of the net. Her team-leading 16th solo rejection inspired a 7-2 run out of the gates in the first set.
The Lions had no answers for the New Port Richey product as Laton ripped four kills on just five swings in the first set (.800) and was just as effective in the next frame with four kills on only six attempts (.667).
Eckerd led wire-to-wire in the second set, opening up a 16-8 advantage following one of
Taylor Whaley's four kills. The Tritons had little trouble keeping momentum sustained to close it out, leading 18-10 before SLU burned both of its timeouts.
Reserves
Ana de Olano and
Grace Jones also made an immediate impact upon their entry in the match, recording kills on their first touches.
Reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week
Hallie Ward had 13 of the team's 39 digs and the Tritons outblocked Saint Leo, 8-3. The Lions hit .090 in the three-set affair while the Tritons attacked at a .273 offensive clip.
The Tritons will next host a program rated fifth in the NCAA South Regional rankings (as of Oct. 23) in the University of North Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. Eckerd was ranked third in the South Regional at the time of release and is presumed to be bumped up to second behind the University of Tampa.
