Redner, Karlovics Lead Eckerd Past Rollins to Break Skid

Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Eckerd volleyball coach Michelle Piantadosi had hoped that returning home after a four-match road swing would be a catalyst to help her Tritons break out of a losing skid.

Her hopes were justified on Friday night as the Tritons got back on track with a 3-1 win over Rollins in Sunshine State Conference play (25-23, 25-7, 18-25, 25-19).

The Tritons (16-12, 8-6 SSC) attacked with efficiency, hitting .342 in the match with 63 kills and had no fewer than 14 kills in any set.

The team got particularly impressive performances from Mackenzie Redner, who matched a career-high with 17 kills, and Stephanie Karlovics, whose 15 kills were the most of her career.

Piantadosi, though, was quick to point out that tonight's win was a team effort.

"I am especially proud of how Mackenzie and Stephanie stepped up tonight, but it was a mental shift that everybody made.  We all came ready to play tonight," she said.  "It was great timing for us to come home and reset after the Embry-Riddle loss.  Getting that confidence back from being at home really helped."

The Tritons fought through a tight first set, using a four-point run to take a lead at 17-15.  Although the Tars got close, Eckerd never trailed for the remainder of the set and took a 1-0 lead in the match following a Redner kill at set point.

Eckerd then completely dominated the second set, rolling to a 25-7 win while limiting Rollins to four kills in the set.  The Tritons took points on nine of 10 rallies to build a commanding 13-3 lead and later won nine straight points behind the service of Gabriella Reis. 

The Tars (11-16, 3-9 SSC) stayed alive by getting points on five straight rallies late in the third set, but the Tritons jumped ahead early in the fourth set and closed the door on a Rollins attempt to force a fifth.

Karlovics was difficult for the Tars to defend, putting away her 15 kills on just 21 attempts.  Kali Boatwright joined Karlovics and Redner with 13 kills and tallied 15 digs for a double-double.  Reis also had a double-double, adding 11 digs to 48 assists.  Kaitlyn Sibson continued her climb toward the program's career digs record with 18 to lead the Tritons.

Eckerd wraps up its home schedule tomorrow, hosting Embry-Riddle at 4:00 PM for senior day.