EC vs. Armstrong Atlantic State (Box Score)
EC vs. No. 22 Flagler (Box Score)
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Eckerd College volleyball program ran into a pair of strong NCAA Tournament qualifiers from the Peach Belt Conference on Saturday, falling in the final two matches of the South/Southeast Region Challenge presented by Optim Health.
The Tritons (6-4, 0-0 SSC) fell victim to host Armstrong Atlantic State University in the morning opener by a score of 1-3 (18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 14-25) before being swept by 22nd-ranked Flagler College, 0-3 (20-25, 21-25, 20-25).
EC came away with a four-set victory to open the tournament last night against the University of Puerto Rico-Piedras.
After Armstrong Atlantic was handed its first loss of the year last night against Rollins College, the Pirates (8-1, 0-0 PBC) bounced back as Jessica Santaniello notched a match-best 18 kills to go with 14 digs.
Santaniello was joined in double-digit kill figures by teammates Amanda Jones (12) and Brittany Wolf (10).
The Pirates raced out to a two-set advantage and were on the verge of a sweep before EC turned a 14-16 deficit into a lead with a 5-0 run that would hold to force another set.
The Tritons were held to a season-low .110 hitting percentage despite outblocking their opponent, 11-9.
Sophomore
Ali McAlvany had 10 kills and senior
Taylor Whaley finished with nine. Juniors
Lindsay Biggs and
Kaleigh Humphrey accounted for 29 of the team's 58 digs and sophomore
Katarina Milojevic had seven blocks.
Flagler, who will probably drop out of the AVCA Top-25 Coaches Poll after suffering losses to Rollins and Florida Southern College in the tournament, took care of business with the sweep in an hour and 15 minutes.
The Saints (6-4, 0-0 PBC) attacked the EC defense for 17 kills and no errors on 36 swings (.472) in the opening set. Flagler snapped a 16-16 tie with a 5-0 run, including three consecutive Triton attacking miscues.
Eckerd bounced back and led 15-9 in the second frame, but Flagler mounted an 8-2 run to tie the score at 18-18. The Triton momentum could not be restored as FC's Emilee Taylor recorded three kills, a service ace and assist in the late stages to help Flagler pull away.
Biggs paced the EC offense with 18 kills and also added 10 digs. Junior setter
Madison Burr had 27 assists (53 on the day) and freshman defensive specialist totaled 19 digs. McAlvany had eight kills and three service aces.
The Tritons will look to get back on the winning track next Friday, hosting Florida Tech in their Sunshine State Conference opener at the McArthur Center. The match between the Tritons and Panthers is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m.
Live stats and video/audio will be streamed on EckerdTritons.com.
