ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd volleyball team rallied late in both the second and third sets, but ultimately fell to Nova Southeastern in three sets Friday night at the McArthur Center.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Nova Southeastern 3, Eckerd 0 (19-25, 24-26, 22-25)
Records: Eckerd 11-4 (4-3 SSC); Nova Southeastern 9-6 (2-5 SSC)
KEY MOMENTS
- The opening of the first set remained tight, with neither team able to generate more than a two-point lead until NSU pulled ahead 12-8. The Sharks extended their lead to 18-10 before the Tritons rolled off six straight points behind the serve of Dana Dull to pull within two. The Sharks followed with a 7-3 run to take the first set 25-19.
- Nova Southeastern opened the second set with five straight points before an Asya Harris kill got Eckerd on the board. The Sharks followed with an 8-1 run to pull ahead 13-2. A kill and two consecutive blocks by Rachel Wisian sparked a six-point Triton run as Eckerd pulled within five at 13-8. NSU maintained a comfortable lead until 24-16, where Eckerd fended off the set by rolling off eight straight points to even the score at 24-24. The Sharks took the set at 26-24 following a kill and an ace.
- Eckerd opened the third set with three straight points before jumping out to an early 8-2 lead. NSU responded with a 6-2 run to pull within two at 10-8. EC got a quick two points before the Sharks used a five-point scoring run to take a 13-12 lead. An Anna Jungjohann kill two points later gave Eckerd a 14-13 lead before Nova Southeastern rolled off eight straight points to pull ahead 21-14. A Sarah Johnshoy kill and a Sydney Case ace kept EC alive at set point before the Sharks went on to take the set, 25-22.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Wisian led the Eckerd attack with nine kills while Johnshoy and Harris each added six.
- Luana Rezende led the Eckerd defense with 12 digs.
- The Tritons hit .091 as a team, marking their lowest hitting percentage of the season.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to the McArthur Center tomorrow at 4:00 PM, hosting Lynn.
