Tritons Swept at Embry-Riddle on Saturday

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Eckerd volleyball team struggled to duplicate the same rhythm it enjoyed one night before, falling to Embry-Riddle (Fla.) in straight sets on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Embry-Riddle 3, Eckerd 0 (8-25, 15-25, 22-25)
Records: Eckerd 11-7 (4-6 SSC); Embry-Riddle 10-7 (5-6 SSC)
All-Time Series: Embry-Riddle leads, 8-6

HOW IT HAPPENED
* After opening the match with a Paula Hoffmann kill, Eckerd could not manage to get in sync offensively.  The Eagles took the next seven points and later followed with another seven-point run for an 18-3 lead.  The Tritons cut down the deficit somewhat, but ERAU's lead was too commanding.  Twenty of Embry-Riddle's points in the set came as the result of Eckerd errors.
* Embry-Riddle again raced out to an early lead in the second set behind a four-point run, taking a 5-1 advantage.  The Tritons fought back to get within a point of the lead (14-13) following kills by Hoffmann and Madison Whiting.  But once again, errors plagued Eckerd.  After a kill by ERAU's Theresa Jordan, the Tritons committed six straight errors as part of a nine-point run by the Eagles that put the set out of reach.
* The Tritons came out stronger in the third set, holding a 6-4 lead.  The teams then swapped points for a series of several rallies before a block by Rachel Cornatzer and Kali Boatwright and an ace by Kaitlyn Sibson extended EC's lead to 15-11.  However, Eckerd was unable to further pad its cushion and instead saw Embry-Riddle reclaim the lead at 20-19.  Mackenzie Redner's kill tied the set once more, but the Eagles took five of the final seven points to complete the sweep.

NOTES AND NUMBERS
* Errors were a major determining factor in the outcome of the match.  Eckerd committed a total of 42 errors while ERAU made only 17 miscues.
* The Tritons, who entered the day leading the conference in aces, had a season-low two aces in today's contest.
* Embry-Riddle out-hit Eckerd, .240 to .027.  The Tritons did hit .270 in the third set.

UP NEXT
The second half of conference play begins on Tuesday as the Tritons welcome Florida Southern to the McArthur Center at 7:00 PM.