VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Eckerd volleyball team won both of its matches in straight sets at the VSU Classic; beating hosts Valdosta State (Ga.) in the opener and UNC Pembroke in the nightcap on Friday.
In the first set against VSU, Eckerd jumped out to an early edge and went on to take the set, 25-20. VSU went ahead early in the second set, but the Tritons finished on a 17-5 run to take the second set, 25-15. The Blazers took a late lead in set three following a 10-2 run. However, the Tritons followed with a 7-2 run to take the match, 26-24.
The teams swapped leads throughout the first two sets in the finale. Back-to-back kills by Ranya Mehta gave Eckerd the opening set, 26-24, and Eckerd used a 4-0 run to take the second set, 25-20. The final set looked similar to the first, but Eckerd used a late 7-1 run to push away, 25-17.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
FINAL: Eckerd 3, Valdosta State 0 (25-20, 25-15, 26-24)
Game Two
FINAL: Eckerd 3, UNC Pembroke 0 (26-24, 25-20, 25-17)
RECORDS: Eckerd 5-1, Valdosta State (2-4), UNC Pembroke (4-4)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Joelle Coulter posted her third straight double-double in the opener with 11 kills and 11 digs. She just missed another double-double in the finale posting eight kills and 16 digs.
- Daniella Russo-Lolas posted a game-high 22 digs against Valdosta State, two digs shy of her career-high.
- Krysten Garrison nearly posted a double-double as well against the Blazers with eight kills and 31 assists. She added another 32 assists in the second match.
- Mehta combined for 19 kills over both matches while committing zero errors for a .576 hitting percentage.
- Eckerd was effective on its attack again, hitting .337 against the Blazers and .298 versus UNC Pembroke. They held both opponents to a hitting percentage below .200.
UP NEXT
Eckerd faces a quick turnaround with another two matches tomorrow against Arkansas Fort Smith at 1:00 PM and Albany State (Ga.) at 7:00 PM.
