ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One month ago, the Eckerd volleyball team struggled to find answers against Embry-Riddle in a straight sets loss.
On Friday night, Eckerd found those answers and then some as the Tritons avenged the October setback with a dominant 3-0 win in the McArthur Center.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 3, Embry-Riddle 0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-21)
Records: Eckerd 16-11 (9-10 SSC); Embry Riddle 13-12 (8-11 SSC)
All-Time Series: Embry-Riddle leads, 8-7
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Tritons made it clear from the start that the outcome of tonight's rematch would not be a repeat performance of the first. EC took the first three points of the first set and never trailed, though Embry-Riddle stayed close for a while. Eckerd slowly began to pull away midway through the set, taking four points in a five-rally series to build a 21-15 lead. The Eagles were unable to threaten for the rest of the set as EC rode nine kills from Mackenzie Redner to a 25-19 win.
- While Redner spearheaded the attack in the first set, Paula Hoffmann took the reins in the second with seven kills. Eckerd again jumped ahead quickly and used a six-point run - which included three Fernanda Reis aces - for an 11-3 lead. The Tritons later rolled off four unanswered points to extend the lead to 19-7. After ERAU closed the gap to nine, Eckerd won points on six of the final eight rallies and took a 2-0 match lead.
- Embry-Riddle claimed its first lead of the night after taking the first point of the third set. The Tritons didn't allow it to last and looked to be on the verge of running away with another set after building an 11-7 lead. However, the Eagles won the next four points to tie the set and soon reclaimed the lead at 14-12 after taking three more points following an EC side-out. The Tritons responded to tie the set twice before a five-point run gave them a 20-16 lead. ERAU was able to pull within two of the lead but no closer as Eckerd again looked to Redner, and the senior delivered five kills late in the set to help seal the victory.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Eckerd put together its second-best attack percentage of the season, hitting .258 with only 14 attack errors. Redner hit a blistering .410 and finished the night with 17 kills
- Reis served five of EC's nine aces, setting a new career high. She also posted a double-double with 34 assists and 15 digs.
- Kaitlyn Sibson played outstanding defense on the back row, posting 24 digs. Kali Boatwright also reached double-digits with 10 digs.
- The straight-sets win tonight was EC's eighth of the season.
QUOTABLE
"This was a big momentum win for us. Our seniors have been so strong and tonight they led the way. I'm so proud of how we are playing right now." - EC head coach
Michelle Piantadosi-Lima
UP NEXT
The Tritons wrap up the regular season on Saturday, hosting Florida Tech for a scheduled 6:00 PM start. The start time may be delayed, however, due to basketball taking place beforehand. The team's seniors will also be honored before the start of the match.
