Pair of Straight-Set Wins Extends Tritons' Streak to Seven

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Eckerd volleyball team dominated both of its opponents in straight sets Saturday at the Francis Marion Invitational. The pair of wins gives Eckerd seven straight victories, matching its longest winning streak since 2013.

Eckerd breezed past Converse (S.C.) in the opener and used a .347 hitting percentage in the finale to defeat UNC-Pembroke.

HOW IT ENDED
Match 1
Final: Eckerd 3, Converse 0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-21)
Records: Eckerd 6-1, Converse 0-7

Match 2
Final: Eckerd 3, UNCP 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-18)
Records: Eckerd 7-1, UNCP 6-2

KEY MOMENTS
Match 1

• Eckerd started the first set with three straight points for an early lead which would not be relinquished. The Tritons later rolled off four consecutive points for a 10-3 lead. A Paula Hoffmann kill started another EC four-point rally to extend the lead to 19-7 before the Tritons tallied three straight points to end the set.
• Converse opened the second set on a 6-1 run to take an early lead. The two teams then traded points until an Anna Jungjohann kill sparked a seven-point EC run to take a 15-11 lead. Eckerd distanced itself late in the set with two separate three-point runs before forcing an attack error to end the set.  
• The Tritons held an early 4-2 lead, but a Valkyries six-point run pulled them ahead 8-4. After a series of side-outs, a pair of Hoffmann aces pulled Eckerd within two at 12-10. Converse stretched its lead back to five points before a Fernanda Reis kill capped a 6-1 Triton run to even the score at 18-18. The teams traded the next few points to remain tied before EC rolled off five straight points with a Jungjohann kill to take the match.

Match 2

• The first set started tight as the teams stayed within a point of each other before a Triton service ace and four kills put them in front 13-8. Eckerd then pulled ahead 22-12 after a run of seven straight points capped by an Agata Sklepik ace. A Sarah Johnshoy kill ended the set at 25-15.
• EC cruised from the start of the second set, opening it on an 8-2 run. Eckerd followed with a pair of three-point runs to pull ahead 14-4 highlighted by back-to-back aces from Dana Dull. After a short Braves rally, Eckerd responded with five straight points to lead 24-11 before a Sklepik swing ended the set three points later.
• The final set started tight, but Eckerd was able to create a 9-5 lead. The Braves, however, responded with a 7-1 rally to take a 12-10 lead. Eckerd answered with its own run of five straight points to regain the lead. UNC Pembroke evened the score at 18-18 before Eckerd rolled off seven straight points behind the serve of Dull to take the match.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Asya Harris and Agata Sklepik led Eckerd in the first match with 12 and 10 kills respectively. Harris only had one attack error leading to a .524 hitting percentage.
• Rachel Wisian and Sklepik each posted 10 kills in the second match. The pair hit with high efficiency for .833 and .529 hitting percentages respectively.
• As a team, Eckerd combined to hit .319 over both matches Saturday.  
• Both Eckerd and UNCP entered the match with six-match win streaks. Eckerd victory extended its streak to seven, marking the longest winning streak since 2013.

UP NEXT
Eckerd heads into conference play next week traveling to Tampa on Friday, Sept. 20th, for a 7:00 PM match.