O'Ferrell Leads Eckerd to Sweep of Nova Southeastern

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd volleyball team continued to show resilience late in tight sets, getting kills when it mattered the most on the way to a straight-sets win over Nova Southeastern on Saturday in the McArthur Center.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 3, Nova Southeastern 0 (26-24, 25-22, 26-24)
Records: Eckerd 14-9 (7-8 SSC); NSU 5-17 (3-12 SSC)
All-Time Series: Eckerd leads, 35-21

HOW IT HAPPENED
* The Sharks started with the hot hand, racing out to a 7-2 lead in the first set.  Eckerd quickly regrouped and put together a pair of three-point runs as part of a stretch that saw the Tritons pull in front, 12-10.  EC held the lead until a run of four straight points for Nova Southeastern turned the tide in its favor.  The Sharks maintained control late in the set, leading 23-20 before the Tritons made their move.  Two kills from Mackenzie Redner and an ace from Fernanda Reis helped get EC to set point.  The Tritons couldn't put it away the first time as NSU's Denvyr Tyler-Palmer extended the set into extra points, but another Redner kill gave Eckerd set point again and Abbie O'Ferrell finished it with a kill for a 26-24 win.
* After a tight stretch to open the second set, Eckerd took points on five of six rallies to edge ahead, 12-9.  Nova Southeastern pulled back within a point but could never tie the set despite making a handful of attempts.  The Tritons continued to hold off the Sharks and took a 24-20 lead at set point.  NSU stayed alive with a kill and a block by Maddie Uilk, but Redner put away a kill to end Nova's hopes of a comeback and give Eckerd a 2-0 match lead.
* A five-point run midway through the third set behind the service of Arielle Erillo gave the Tritons a 17-12 lead.  The Sharks, however, rolled off three straight points to quickly close the gap and followed with another three-point run moments later to take a 20-19 lead.  Eckerd tied the set on a kill by Payton Meader but committed three errors in the next five rallies to trail 23-22.  The teams swapped points on the next two rallies, giving set point to NSU.  Once again, the Tritons rose to the occasion as they took the next three points, including two kills by O'Ferrell, to complete the straight-sets win.

NOTES AND NUMBERS
* The Sharks actually posted a better attack percentage (.218 to .200) but Eckerd put away 12 more kills on 19 more attacks.
* Three of Eckerd's last four set wins have come by scores of 26-24.
* Today's three-set win was Eckerd's first sweep since defeating Barry in straight sets on September 30.
* O'Ferrell's 15 kills were her second-most this season and the most since recording 16 against St. Edwards (Texas) on September 2.

UP NEXT
The Tritons can make a statement on Tuesday as they travel to face No. 24 Saint Leo for a 7:00 PM match.