Tritons Fall in Four Sets at Nova Southeastern

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The Eckerd volleyball team overcame a large fourth-set deficit to get close to extending its Saturday match at Nova Southeastern to a fifth set, but the Sharks made key plays down the stretch to earn a four-set win over the Tritons.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Nova Southeastern 3, Eckerd 1 (21-25, 25-22, 22-25, 23-25)
Records: Eckerd 8-9 (3-7 SSC), Nova Southeastern 5-13 (3-8 SSC)

KEY MOMENTS

• The Sharks took control early in the opening set, building an 11-3 lead behind a run of six straight points.  Eckerd managed to pull back within two points late in the set at 23-21, but NSU claimed the next two points for a 1-0 match lead.
• Eckerd used a five-point run to take a 14-8 set two lead; however, Nova Southeastern rallied to tie at 17-17.  The teams then traded three-point runs, leaving the set tied again at 20-20.  EC again won three straight points and held off a NSU attempt to tie thanks to back-to-back Sarah Johnshoy kills to close the set.
• The Tritons found themselves trailing early in the third set, 10-2.  Still trailing by nine later in the set, Eckerd slowly began to whittle away at the Sharks' lead.  EC pulled within two points late but ran out of time as NSU took a 25-22 set victory for a 2-1 lead.
• NSU raced out to an 11-2 lead in the fourth set, only to see Eckerd recover from the slow start to tie the set at 16-16. The Tritons kept it up, eventually taking a three-point lead that put them on the verge of forcing a fifth set.  However, the Sharks won the final five points of the set for a 25-23 win to close the four-set victory.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Johnshoy set a new career-high with 13 kills on just 23 attempts.
• Abbie O'Ferrell led Eckerd with 14 kills, her most since September 7.  She also had a season-high four aces and recorded a double-double with 12 digs.
• Paula Hoffmann tied her season high with 18 digs.
• Rachel Wisian posted a career-high six blocks.

UP NEXT
The Tritons have a busy week ahead as the second half of conference play begin. Eckerd hosts Florida Southern on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in the first of three matches during the week.