Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The 22nd-ranked Eckerd College volleyball team overcame an inspired effort from Lynn University on the road during Senior Night in the de Hoernle Center, winning its 15th match in 16 opportunities, 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 25-17).
Even though the Tritons (24-4, 12-3 SSC) had their program-best 14-match win streak snapped last week versus Florida Southern College, it didn't take long for EC to get back on the winning track as the regular season winds down to a close.
Eckerd cruised to a two-set lead against the Fighting Knights (14-16, 6-9 SSC), but its bid for the sweep was denied as Lynn pushed back with a 25-21 decision in the third frame. The Tritons broke through in the fourth set and were able to play spoiler to take the regular-season series, 2-0.
Defense was the Tritons' calling card in holding Lynn to a .140 hitting percentage, forcing the Fighting Knights into 27 errors on the evening. Eckerd outblocked Lynn 13-9 as junior
Alex Laton had six total swats while freshman
Ali McAlvany and junior
Olivia Fraser added four each.
“Tonight was a good win in another tough conference road environment,” EC Head Coach Courtney Draper said. “We came out strong and finished well down the stretch. We're getting ourselves ready for the postseason but still taking it one match at a time and staying focused to end the regular season.”
The Tritons led by as many as six points in the first set, taking an 18-12 advantage thanks to an assisted block from Fraser and
Ariana Chinn. The key play cost Lynn its final timeout and kept momentum on EC's side.
Eckerd built a comfortable lead in the early stages of the second frame, storming out with a 13-6 run. The defense stood tall again as McAlvany had back-to-back solo blocks sandwiched in the quick start, another important sequence that forced the opponent to exhaust its final timeout.
Angie Caple had five of Lynn's 11 kills in the third set as the Fighting Knights countered by hitting .333 to make the score 2-1.
Lynn had its sights set on forcing the fifth set and was out to a 10-7 lead in the fourth game after one of Shannon Dugan's team-best 11 kills. But the Tritons refused to back down and eventually knotted things up at 15-15 before the defense answered once again.
A pair of assisted blocks ignited a 4-0 run to snap the 15-15 tie, capped by a service ace from
Taylor Whaley. The Tritons wouldn't relinquish the lead again and closed the match strong by finishing their night on a 6-2 run.
Biggs led EC with 13 kills, Laton spiked down 11 and Chinn swatted 10 to lead the potent offense.
Hallie Ward dug out a game-best 13 attack attempts and added two service aces.
Bri Smith served up 24 assists to lead the passing game.
Eckerd concludes the regular season tomorrow in Miami Shores at Barry University, scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.
On Sunday night at 10 p.m., the team will host a gathering open to fans, students, staff and faculty, in the McArthur Gym to celebrate Selection Sunday as the NCAA Tournament bracket is unveiled.
