ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd beach volleyball team earned its first-ever victory over Florida Gulf Coast, taking down the Eagles, 3-2, at North Shore Courts on Wednesday.
FGCU is receiving votes in the latest NCAA poll, which includes programs from all divisions,
It was tight contest for Eckerd (8-4) wining in the Nos. 1, 3, and 5 draws. The duo of
Kali Boatwright and Stephanie Bodga picked up the Tritons' first point earning a straight-sets win in the No. 5 slot, 21-17 and 21-19.
The pairs of
Paula Hoffmann and
Kaitlyn Sibson and
Madison Whiting and
Arielle Erillo pulled out the two decisive points for Eckerd, both in tight three-set matches. Hoffmann and Sibson took the first set, 22-20, but fell in the second 21-18 in the No. 1 draw. The duo then took the final set in an exciting 16-14 finish.
Whiting and Erillo edged out Karissa Rhoades and Katherine Puisis in the No. 3 slot, 21-19, in the first set before falling to a close second set, 21-18. Eckerd's tandem held on to win the final set, 15-12.
The duo of
Fernanda Reis and
Samantha Bevilacqua picked up an extra win for the Tritons in an exhibition falling in the first set, 21-17, before winning 21-19 and 16-14 in the final two sets.
Sibson and Hoffmann extended their winning streak to 11 matches.
Eckerd has over a week off until its next match at the Saint Leo Invitational next Friday where the Tritons will play Saint Leo at 1:40 and Jacksonville at 4:40.
