Embry-Riddle (FL) defeated Eckerd College 3-1 in women’s volleyball Friday evening at the McArthur Center in St. Petersburg. The Eagles won 11-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22, overcoming Eckerd’s second-set response to secure the match. Eckerd won the second set after Embry-Riddle took the opener 25-11.
Embry-Riddle built an 8-1 lead in the opening set and extended the advantage to 19-8 before closing out the frame. The Eagles carried a 13-8 lead into the second set, but Eckerd answered with a 10-2 run that included back-to-back blocks from Natalie Aniol and two kills from Jaiden Harristo. Hayden Nash recorded three kills during Eckerd’s final six points of the set as the Tritons won 25-19 and evened the match.
Eckerd opened the third set with a 2-0 lead, and the teams traded points throughout the frame. The Tritons rallied from a 20-18 deficit to tie the score at 20-20 on a kill by Aniol, but Embry-Riddle scored four consecutive points to reach set point. Eckerd fought off three set points before the Eagles claimed the final point for a 25-23 win.
Embry-Riddle finishes comeback
Eckerd started the fourth set with an 8-5 advantage before Embry-Riddle moved ahead 16-14. The Tritons tied the set at 16-16, then took a 19-17 lead on back-to-back blocks by Nash. Eckerd led 22-20 before Embry-Riddle closed the match with five unanswered points to win the set 25-22.
Nash led Eckerd with 14 kills on a .591 hitting percentage and added four solo blocks. Kaitlyn Dohs finished with eight kills and 10 digs, while Jaelynn Tunley contributed seven kills and a team-high 20 digs. Sydney Williams collected 19 digs, Lilli Weber recorded 35 assists and 13 digs, and Aniol added five kills and four blocks.
Eckerd hit .119 as a team, while Embry-Riddle hit .185. Nash also recorded back-to-back blocks during the fourth set as Eckerd briefly regained the lead. The Tritons could not hold that advantage as the Eagles scored the final five points.
What comes next for Eckerd
Eckerd will host Rollins on Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. for Senior Night. The Tritons will then play at No. 3 Tampa on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Eckerd will visit Palm Beach Atlantic on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
FSB Take
Eckerd showed a quick response after losing the opening set, winning the second and holding leads late in both the third and fourth sets. Nash’s efficient attacking and blocking production gave the Tritons a strong individual performance, but Embry-Riddle converted the match’s final momentum swings. The immediate turnaround to Senior Night against Rollins gives Eckerd its next opportunity to finish a close set and match more effectively.
Source: Original report