SAINT LEO, Fla. - The Eckerd Triton volleyball team returned to conference play with the first of a three-game road series on Tuesday, falling in straight sets at Saint Leo despite making late comebacks in the first and third sets.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Saint Leo 3, Eckerd 0 (20-25, 13-25, 22-25)
Records: Eckerd 12-12 (4-10 SSC); Saint Leo 13-12 (8-6 SSC)
KEY MOMENTS
- Saint Leo took firm control in the first set after a nine-point run extended the Lions' lead to 16-4. Â Still leading 22-11, SLU had to hold off a late push by Eckerd. Â The Tritons won nine of the next 11 rallies to storm back within four points but ran out of steam as the Lions forced an attack error following a timeout to claim the first set.
- The Lions again pulled ahead early in set two, and this time did not give Eckerd a chance to trim the deficit. Â The Tritons only strung together consecutive points once in the set as Saint Leo cruised to a 25-13 win and a 2-0 match lead.
- Eckerd overcame a 12-7 deficit in the third set, fighting back to take a 16-15 lead on the heels of four straight points. Â SLU retook control, winning seven of the next eight rallies to reclaim a five-point lead only to see the Tritons run off five straight points to again tie the set at 22-22 following back-to-back kills by Abbie O'Ferrell. Â A service error broke EC's run, and Saint Leo took the next two points to complete the sweep.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- O'Ferrell was the only Triton to reach double-figures in kills with 11. Paula Hoffmann and Sarah Johnshoy had six each.
- The contest was almost devoid of service aces. Â Eckerd had two - both from Arielle Erillo - while Saint Leo had none.
- O'Ferrell recorded her sixth double-double of the season, and third in her last five matches, as she had 13 digs to go along with her 11 kills. Â Erillo led the team with 16 digs. Â Fernanda Reis narrowly missed a double-double with 16 assists and eight digs.
UP NEXT
Eckerd travels to face Barry (23-3, 12-3 SSC) on Friday at 7:00 PM.
