BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Eckerd volleyball team breezed past both its opponents Friday for a pair of wins on the first day of the South Region Crossover.
The Tritons opened the day with a three-set win over Valdosta State (Ga.) before topping Auburn-Montgomery (Ala.) in the same fashion in the second game.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
Final: Eckerd 3, Valdosta State 0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-18)
Records: Eckerd 12-5; Valdosta State 11-10
Game Two
Final: Eckerd 3, Auburn-Montgomery 0 (25-20, 25-12, 25-20)
Records: Eckerd 13-5; Auburn-Montgomery 9-9
KEY MOMENTS
Game One
- Eckerd jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the first set before the Blazers responded to even the score at 6-6. The teams remained close over the next stretch, with neither team holding more than a two-point lead. Eckerd used a late 3-0 run to pull ahead 23-19 before taking the set 25-22 on an Asya Harris kill and a Sydney Case ace.
- After a back and forth start, EC used a 3-0 run to pull ahead 9-6. VSU evened the score at 10-10 before the Tritons went on another 3-0 stretch to pull in front 13-10. Eckerd maintained a slight edge before a Rachel Wisian kill put the Tritons up by five at 23-18. EC took the set at 25-19 following a Fernanda Reis kill.
- The opening of the final set remained tight as the Tritons edged out to an early 11-8 lead. Eckerd later rolled off six straight points behind the serve of Paula Hoffmann to take a 19-12 advantage. EC maintained its commanding lead for the remainder of the set and took the match at 25-18 following back-to-back kills.
Game Two
- The opening of the match began tight before Eckerd took a slight 11-9 lead. The teams stayed within two points of each other over the next stretch before EC rolled off five straight points to take a late 23-18 lead. The Tritons took the set at 25-20 after back-to-back kills by Anna Jungjohann.
- Eckerd jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the second set. AUM managed to pull within two points at 8-6 before EC went on a 9-2 run to distance themselves at 17-8. Eckerd maintained its significant lead for the remainder of the set and ended the set at 25-12 on a three-point run.
- The final set opened tight before the Tritons rolled off seven straight points behind the serve of Luana Rezende to take a 12-6 lead. The Warhawks managed to pull within three points (21-18), but Eckerd held off the late rally and took the match at 25-20 on a Hoffmann kill.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Harris led the Eckerd attack in the first game with 13 kills while Agata Sklepik paced the back row with 13 digs.
- Sklepik led Eckerd in the finale with 13 kills.
- Today's match was the first meeting between Eckerd and Valdosta State since Oct. 16, 2015, where Eckerd won 3-2.
- The Tritons hit .327 against Auburn Montgomery marking the fifth time this season they have hit over .300 in a match.
UP NEXT
Eckerd concludes the South Region Crossover on Saturday, playing West Georgia at 1:30 PM (CST).
