Box Score
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Eckerd College volleyball team came away with its sixth consecutive win Friday night as it swept Nova Southeastern University in straight sets, 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-11), to begin the Sunshine State Conference schedule.
The Tritons (7-2, 1-0 SSC) arrived at the Don Taft University Center at Nova Southeastern (3-6, 0-1 SSC) to find a large, loud crowd as the Sharks' rowing team was presented with a banner for its national championship season in between sets.
But the Tritons thrived in the high-intensity atmosphere, claiming each set by a considerable margin.
"It was a crazy atmosphere," EC Head Coach
Michelle Piantadosi said. "We didn't have as many blocks, but our setters evenly distributed the ball to our hitters;
Grace Jones had a great game. It was a good win to carry us into tomorrow's match."
Jones led the squad on offense, posting her best numbers on the season thus far. She collected 11 kills on 18 attempts for a .611 hitting percentage and added three block assists.
Senior
Lindsay Biggs recorded nine kills and two block assists and junior
Katarina Milojevic also added nine kills with four block assists.
Junior
Ali McAlvany also contributed to the team's .422 hitting percentage, tallying eight kills and four block assists.
Senior
Madison Burr went to work setting up her hitters, racking up a season-high 27 assists on night. Sophomore setter
Emily Schadow added another nine assists.
McAlvany and
Kaleigh Humphrey made up the majority of the Tritons' defense. McAlvany (11) and Humphrey (12) combined for more than half of Eckerd's 44 digs.
The win not only marks Eckerd's sixth straight, but also its fifth straight sweep. Since recovering from its loss to No. 16 Truman State (Mo.) University, opponents are averaging only a .124 hitting percentage against the Tritons.
Eckerd continues its conference schedule on the road tomorrow as it travels to Lynn University. The match is set to begin at 4 p.m. in Boca Raton.
