ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd Triton volleyball team will look to get back into the win column on Friday night but will have to do it against a top-25 team as they travel to face No. 16 Palm Beach Atlantic at 7:00 PM.
GAME COVERAGE: Live Stats |
Live VideoSETTING THE STAGEThe Tritons (5-4, 0-2) have dropped three straight matches and two in a row to open conference play. While tonight's visit to PBA won't count in the conference standings, the Sailfish (7-2) are provisional members of the conference. Winners of four straight, PBA bested SSC members Lynn and Barry last week in four sets. The Sailfish also boast a five-set win over then-No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.) on the road.
LAST TIME THEY METPalm Beach Atlantic spoiled senior day in the McArthur Center with a straight-sets win over Eckerd on November 8, 2014. Faith Rohn had 14 kills to lead the attack for the Sailfish, who hit .347 on the afternoon.
Tjasa Kotnik put away 15 kills for the Tritons.
INSIDE THE SERIESThe Tritons lead the all-time series over PBA, 21-14, although the Sailfish have won the last three meetings including a pair of 3-0 sweeps last season.
SCOUTING THE SAILFISHPalm Beach Atlantic seems to have picked up where it left off last season after advancing to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. The Sailfish enter the night ranked No. 16 in the AVCA Division II rankings and will no doubt be excited to play their home opener after nine matches on the road. PBA's offense is led by the sister duo of Faith and Ally Rohn who average 3.3 and 2.4 kills per set respectively. Also a setter, Ally averages 5.1 assists per set and leads the team in aces with 13. The front-row defense is led by Sarah Ragland, whose average of 1.5 blocks per set ranks fourth in Division II. Ally Rohn leads the nation in triple-doubles with four.
TOP 10 PERFORMANCETjasa Kotnik has been a steady force for the Tritons in her senior season, ranking in the top 10 in Division II in both kills per set (7th, 4.45) and points per set (4th, 5.27).
Â
