FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Eckerd volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit taking the third and fourth sets Saturday afternoon at Rick Case Arena. However, the Tritons were unable to complete the comeback as Nova Southeastern took the decisive fifth set.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Nova Southeastern 3, Eckerd 2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23, 12-15)
Records: Eckerd 18-11 (9-9 SSC), Nova Southeastern 18-11 (10-8 SSC)
KEY MOMENTS
- Eckerd jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead following back-to-back Agata Sklepik service aces. The Sharks responded with an 8-2 run to take a 10-6 lead. NSU held a slight edge before using a 5-1 stretch to push in front 17-9. The teams traded rallies the reminder of the set with the Sharks holding between a six and seven-point lead before taking the set 25-18.
- An Asya Harris kill capped an early 3-0 run as Eckerd took a 5-2 lead to start the second set. NSU responded to even the score at 9-9. The teams swapped rallies and remained tied at 14-14, where the Sharks went on a 3-0 run to take a 17-14 advantage. Eckerd responded with a 4-1 run to even the score at 18-18. The sides then swapped points over the next several rallies and stayed tied at 22-22 before NSU finished the set on a 3-1 run to take the set, 25-23.
- Dana Dull opened the third set with an ace as Eckerd took an early 6-2 lead. EC's lead fluctuated between four and six points over the next stretch before a Sarah Johnshoy kill capped a 6-1 Triton run to distance themselves at 21-12. Eckerd maintained a comfortable lead the rest of the way and took the set, 25-17, on a Rachel Wisian kill.
- The teams traded points to open the fourth set before EC took a slight 10-8 favor. The Tritons maintained a slim edge before NSU evened the score at 16-16. Eckerd responded with three straight points to take a 19-16 lead. Eckerd held at least a one-point lead the rest of the way and took the set at 25-23 on a Wisian kill.
- The Sharks jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead and stayed in front at 8-3 before EC went on a 5-2 run to pull within two at 10-8. Nova Southeastern held between a two and three-point lead before the Tritons pulled within one at 13-12 on a Johnshoy and Harris tandem block. However, NSU took the match, 15-12, following a kill and a Triton error.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Harris led the Eckerd attack with a career-high 24 kills while hitting .289. She recorded 20 or more kills in a match for the third time this season.
- Sklepik posted her ninth double-double of the season with 12 kills and 17 digs.
- Sydney Case nearly missed a double-double with 50 assists and nine digs.
- Wisian tied her season-high of seven blocks also against Nova Southeastern (Oct. 11)
- Luana Rezende led the back row with 22 digs.
UP NEXT
Eckerd is on the road again next Friday at Barry for a 7:00 PM start.
