ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The five seniors of the Eckerd volleyball team wrapped up their McArthur Center careers with a win and, perhaps, helped extend their final seasons in the process.
The Tritons dominated early then held off a gritty Florida Tech squad in four sets on Saturday night, the win putting the team in position for an NCAA South Regional bid.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 3, Florida Tech 1 (25-15, 25-13, 26-28, 25-20)
Records: Eckerd 17-11 (10-10 SSC), Florida Tech 9-17 (4-16 SSC)
All-Time Series: Eckerd leads, 46-28
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Eckerd wasted little time in establishing itself in the first set. After FIT won the first two points, the Tritons rolled off five in a row and later used a four-point run to take a 10-4 lead. The Panthers stayed within five points for the next several rallies until another EC run - this one in the form of six unanswered points - made it an 18-7 lead for the Tritons. Eckerd cruised the rest of the way, hitting .361 and picking up a 10-point win.
- In the second set, EC again used an early run behind the service of Kaitlyn Sibson to take a 10-5 lead. The Tritons remained in control for the rest of the set, still leading by seven at 20-13, before winning five straight points for a dominant 25-13 victory. Eckerd hit .361 for the second straight set while holding Florida Tech to a .077 attack percentage.
- The Tritons appeared to be on the verge of their second straight sweep after jumping out to leads of 5-1 and 11-6. The Panthers, however, regrouped to tie the set at 13-13 and eventually took the lead at 15-14. Eckerd twice moved back in front by two points, only to see FIT reclaim the lead. Florida Tech was first to set point at 24-23, but a Mackenzie Redner kill sent the set into extra points. EC broke set point again and later got to match point after two FIT errors, but the Panthers won the final three points to stay alive.
- Eckerd inched ahead early in the fourth set, then ran its lead to 13-8 after taking five points in a six-rally series. FIT pulled within three points on three occasions before the Tritons took a commanding lead after winning six straight points, getting to match point at 24-14. The Panthers, however, continued to battle and won the next six points making what was a comfortable lead seem a little less so. However, a service error by Roxana Carpio ended the match as EC completed the four-set win.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Tonight marked the final home match for Eckerd's five seniors: Kaitlyn Sibson, Stephanie Karlovics, Kali Boatwright, Madison Whiting and Mackenzie Redner. All five had solid performances. Redner and Whiting each had 13 kills while Karlovics had 10 kills and five blocks. Sibson posted 24 digs, and Boatwright had 10 digs and two aces.
- Paula Hoffmann led the attack with 17 kills and added 16 digs for her 11th double-double of the season.
- The Tritons swept the regular-season series from Florida Tech for the first time since 2013.
- Eckerd's 62 kills in the match were the team's highest single-match total this season. The Tritons have posted 61 kills in four other matches.
UP NEXT
Eckerd awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Monday night at 7:30 to see if the team has earned an at-large berth to the NCAA South Regional Tournament.
