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MELBOURNE, Fla. -- First-year Embry-Riddle University women's volleyball head coach Joslynn Gallop began her coaching career at Florida Tech this evening and although the result may not have been a victory for the Eagles falling 31-29, 30-26, 30-27, there was definitely marked improvement from last year's ERAU squad which finished 3-30.
The teams traded points back-and-forth throughout the first game and the teams were tied for the eighth time at 24-24.? However, FIT (1-0) was able to take a three-point lead 27-24.? However, the Blue and Gold battled back to tie the game 28-28 and took a 29-28 advantage on a kill by freshman Jenni Nelsen who was making a homecoming of sorts hailing from nearby Titusville.? Florida Tech senior outside hitter Jenny Hart registered back-to-back kills to give the Panthers a 30-29?lead and the game ended on an attack error by the Eagles falling 31-29.? ERAU junior transfer Janelle Marinos from CSU-Stanislaus led the Eagles with four kills in the game.
The second game was very similar with 10 ties and five lead changes.? The game was tied at 23-23 before FIT went on a 5-0 run on four straight attack errors by ERAU (0-1) to take a 28-23 lead.? Panther Kelly Currin recorded three of her five kills in the game and the game-ending smash to win 30-26.
In the final game, the Eagles took a 7-6 lead and maintained the lead building a 27-21 cushion late in the game.? However, FIT mounted an amazing comeback scoring nine-straight points to prevail 30-27.
Hart led Florida Tech with 12 kills and 18 digs, while Currin and Konopnicki added 11 and 10 kills, respectively.
Marinos led the Eagle attack with 10 kills and the defense with 13 digs. Sophomore Daniela Brazolino and freshman Nelsen added nine kills apiece.? Junior libero Nancy Salb added 10 digs and recorded just one serve receive error in three games.?
Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer MacRae showed improvement offensively with three kills and a .600 hitting percentage, while contributing her strong defensive presence at the net with four total blocks including a solo.
