Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd College volleyball team fell victim to nationally ranked Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday afternoon in three sets in the team's final home game of the season.
Facing the No. 21 team in the country, the Tritons had their work cut out for them.
Eckerd was able to capitalize in the beginning of the first set to take an early lead on the Sailfish.
Lauryn Nelson tied the set up on a big kill off a beautiful pass from
Gabriella Reis Guimaraes bringing the score to 8-8. The lead would change six times before PBA was able to gain the advantage and take set one, 25-21.
Tjasa Kotnik nabbed seven kills in set two, leading the team to a close set. Kotnik slammed down three early kills, giving the Tritons the lead. With the match in their hands, EC fell victim to untimely errors that gave PBA a window of opportunity to take the lead. The Sailfish jumped on the opportunity and tallied 16 kills, defeating the Tritons, 25-18.
In set three, PBA jumped on the Tritons early and held the lead for the remainder of the match. Although PBA jumped out in front, the Tritons fought until the end.
Kelie Reimer slammed down two service aces to bring Eckerd within four of the Sailfish. PBA answered back with two service aces of their own to win the set, 25-20, and take home the match.
The McArthur Center was covered in balloons, families, friends, and loyal supporters as the program said goodbye to three of their top players.
Ali McAlvany,
Grace Jones, and
Katarina Milojevic took the James Harley Court for one last time. Since 2011, the trio have helped the program amass 80 wins, including a 2011 upset over, then No. 1, University of Tampa Spartans.
Jones has been a leader on and off the court, mentoring young players and making her presence felt. The middle blocker has appeared in 207 sets and accumulated 356 kills over her four year career. Milojevic saw a breakout sophomore campaign and has been a staple of the Triton offense ever since. Milojevic has been an All-Conference and regional selection. She currently ranks sixth in the EC record books for career blocks. McAlvany is one of the top players the program has ever seen. She is a perennial All-Conference selection and was an AVCA All-American in 2012. The outside hitter joined the elite 1,000 kill club and has totaled 1,231 kills over her career, ranking third in the Eckerd record books.
The Tritons will take to the road for their last two matches of the year. EC will face Lynn University on Friday in Boca Raton, Fla. with match time set for 7 p.m.
