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Box Score 2 PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Eckerd College volleyball team opened up their season at the Palm Beach Atlantic Hyatt Sunshine Classic Friday with two victories coming against Quincy University and Barton College.
Match one against Quincy University became a five set season opening thriller.
The Tritons fell in set one to QU (25-19) before taking back-to-back sets (25-16, 25-18).
Set four went to the Hawks (25-23) in a tightly contested set that saw eight lead changes.
A back and forth battle ensued for the fifth and final set before the Tritons grabbed an 8-7 lead and never looked back, taking the set (15-11) and the season opening match.
Ali McAlvany led the way for the EC offense with 18 kills while grabbing 13 digs for her first double-double of the season.
With 31 assists,
Emily Schadow made presence felt on the offensive side of the net as well.
Gabriella Reis Guimaraes made her collegiate debut and posted 17 assists of her own.
"Quincy is a strong team and they came out firing on all cylinders," said head coach,
Michelle Piantadosi. "I was impressed with the resilience of our team. This was a big victory to show our grit and fight on the court."
The Tritons were able to pull off the sweep of Barton College for the night cap of their day one double-header.
EC got out in front early, taking set one, 25-12. Set two was close until Eckerd went on a 7-2 run on their way to 25-21 victory. The Tritons trailed early on in set three before taking the lead and never relinquishing it for a 25-18 win.
Grace Jones posted 11 kills while
Kaitlyn Sibson tallied 14 digs. Schadow added 23 assists in the second match giving her a one day total of 54 assists.
As a team, Eckerd carried a .419 hitting percentage against the Bulldogs.
"This was a good start for our program," said coach Piantadosi about the first day of the season. "We still have a lot to work on and improve, however, I am happy to see the specific things we've been focusing on come to fruition today."
Eckerd will begin day two of the Palm Beach Atlantic Hyatt Sunshine Classic against the University of Bridgeport (Conn.) Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The Tritons will take on Kentucky State in the final game of the Classic beginning at 3 p.m.
