Strong Finishes Boost Eckerd to Sweep of Saint Leo

Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Heading into tonight's match against Saint Leo, Eckerd volleyball head coach Michelle Piantadosi knew both what to expect from her opponent and what her team needed to do in order to win.

She was right on both counts.

The Tritons were at their best late in each set, and the result was a 3-0 win over the Lions in the McArthur Center.  All three sets were decided by two points (25-23, 26-24, 25-23).

"We knew it was going to be a battle.  Saint Leo is always a very strong team," Piantadosi said.  "When moments were tight, we were able to grind it out.  We keep talking about finding our fight, and every match we get closer to that."

In the first set, the Tritons (9-4, 3-1 SSC) had to find that fight quickly, facing a 20-14 deficit.  The comeback began with three kills by Sarah Johnshoy to swing the momentum Eckerd's way, followed soon afterward by a run of four straight points to take a 23-22 lead.

A Hope Lemon kill tied the set, but Kali Boatwright answered to get EC to set point and the Tritons put it away following an attack error by Saint Leo.

Eckerd jumped ahead quickly in set two on the heels of six straight points, but Saint Leo (8-5, 2-2 SSC) eventually retook the lead at 13-11 after four consecutive points of its own.  From there, the set swung back-and-forth with five ties although Eckerd never trailed after taking the lead at 16-15 on a Keri McMahon ace.

The Lions managed to fend off set point once on a kill from Britt Sederholm, but a Boatwright kill and a JaQuayla Baker block finished the set and put EC ahead 2-0.

In the third set, at least for a while, it appeared as though Eckerd would finish the sweep with a comfortable cushion.

The Tritons won eight of the set's  first 10 points and later grew their lead to 18-9.  But the Lions - who boast wins over three top 25 teams - came roaring back.

SLU took six straight points to cut the deficit down to two points at 20-18, and eventually tied the set at 23-23 behind a three-point run.

But once again, Boatwright and Baker helped clinch the set and the match.  Boatwright's kill put EC at match point before a tandem block by Baker and Gabriella Reis secured the victory.

"Kali gives every ounce of herself to the team," Piantadosi said.  "She played so smart tonight.  Kaitlyn is doing a fantastic job leading our defense and making sure we stay organized.  Offensively, JaQuayla has done a great job.  Gabby made some excellent decisions tonight as well."

Boatwright proved difficult to handle for Saint Leo as the junior finished with a match-high 16 kills while hitting .483.  She also posted a double-double with 12 digs.  Baker added 10 kills and seven blocks - two of which closed out sets.  Reis had 37 assists while Kaitlyn Sibson tallied 17 digs.

The Tritons head into the weekend in a first-place tie in the Sunshine State Conference with Florida Southern.  Eckerd hosts Lynn (Fla.) on Friday at 7:00 PM and Barry (Fla.) on Saturday at 4:00 PM.