Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Eckerd College volleyball knew what it needed to accomplish.
The Tritons couldn't have done it much better.
Eckerd completed a perfect weekend with a 3-0 sweep of Embry-Riddle (Fla.) by scores of 25-14, 25-21 and 26-24, to win its fourth straight match and put itself in position to earn a bid to the regional tournament,
On the verge of breaking through all season long, are the Tritons beginning to peak at the right time? Fourth-year head coach
Michelle Piantadosi thinks so.
"The team's chemistry is at its best and everyone is comfortable with their roles right now," she said. "I think they're very hungry."
Continuing what has become a trend over the last few matches, Eckerd (17-13) controlled the opening set from the start taking the first four points and systematically building a large lead. Finishing the set like they started it, the Tritons took the final four points en route to an 11-point win.
A five-point run early in the second set put Eckerd ahead and although the Tritons never trailed the rest of the way, Embry-Riddle didn't make things easy either. Twice, EC built a four-point lead only to see the Eagles take three straight points to get back within one. But each time, Eckerd had an answer in the form of a
Tjasa Kotnik kill and eventually took five of the final seven points for a 25-21 set win.
The third set proved to be the tightest but as they did last night, the Tritons overcame set point on the way to a sweep. With ERAU leading 24-22, Eckerd evened the score on a
Lauryn Nelson kill and
Gabriella Reis ace, then closed out the match thanks to a pair of Eagle attack errors.
One of the main differences late in the season, Piantadosi said, has been the team's defense.
"It's an IQ and understanding thing," she said. "We've been working on the same things all season but now everyone feels comfortable with what ball is theirs and what ball is not. They know when to go."
The Tritons were also efficient on the attack, hitting .309 with only 12 attack errors. Kotnik led the way with 14 kills while Nelson had 12.
Sophomore libero
Kaitlyn Sibson also reached a milestone as she recorded her 1000th career dig during the third set. She finished the match with 20 digs.
"I'm so proud of Kaitlyn," said Piantadosi. "She is one of the hardest workers in the gym and her daily commitment to improving is paying off with achievements like this."
Now the Tritons will wait to see if they receive a bid to the South Regional Tournament, which will take place on December 3-5. Eckerd was seventh in this week's regional rankings, and maintaining that spot should earn the team its third post-season bid under Piantadosi. Bids will be announced by the NCAA on Monday.
