ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After a narrow loss to No. 16 Palm Beach Atlantic last night, the Eckerd College volleyball team will look to break a four-game skid and earn its first conference win of the year as it travels to Barry University for a 4:00 PM contest.
COVERAGE: Live Stats |
Live VideoSETTING THE STAGEThe Tritons (5-5) played step-for-step with the 16th-ranked Sailfish last night but were edged out in all three sets. They'll try to build on that today against a Bucs (3-3, 1-1) squad that is coming off a five-set win over Saint Leo last night. After today's match, Eckerd returns to the McArthur Center for a four-match home stand.
LAST TIME THEY METBarry got 16 kills from Kristina Boncheva and 15 from Tashalyn Begon on its way to a four-set victory over Eckerd in the McArthur Center on October 25, 2014.
Mackenzie Redner had 13 kills to lead the Tritons. The Bucs swept the season series last year.
INSIDE THE SERIESBarry leads the all-time series, 43-11. The Tritons had won five of the last six meetings before the Bucs took both contests last season.
SCOUTING THE BUCSBarry scored an important conference win last night, knocking off Saint Leo behind 20 kills from newcomer Kaitlin Drake. The transfer from San Joaquin Delta leads the Bucs in kills on the season, averaging 3.56 per set. Eva Raat (2.60) and Ivana Didanovic (2.48) add balance to the team's attack. Brittany Jaco currently leads NCAA Division II in digs average with an impressive 6.16 per set.
ATTACK EFFICIENCYThe Tritons enter today's match ranking 35th in Division II in hitting percentage, converting their attacks at a .240 rate. Sophomore
Lauryn Nelson leads the way, hitting .307 so far this season.
CONFERENCE LEADERTjasa Kotnik leads the Sunshine State Conference in both kills per set (4.45) and points per set (5.27). The senior also ranks in the top 10 nationally in both categories.
