Embry-Riddle def. Fontbonne (30-28, 20-30, 30-18, 30-22)
NAIA Semifinal - Embry-Riddle?def. Pikeville (30-19, 27-30, 30-23, 31-33, 15-8)
NAIA Championship - Hastings def. Embry-Riddle (32-30, 30-25, 30-21)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Embry-Riddle women's volleyball team advanced to?its first-ever?championship of the 6th Annual Trip Sports Beach Blast falling to Hastings (Neb.) 32-30, 30-25, 30-21 Saturday evening.

The Eagles (6-2) made their first appearance in the championship match after a tough five-game match victory against Pikeville (Ky.) 30-19, 27-30, 30-23, 31-33, 15-8. Hastings among the top 30 teams in the NAIA is off to a 9-1 start after capturing the championship with a perfect 6-0 mark on the weekend at the Beach Blast.

Junior outside hitter #Janelle Marinos# led the Eagles with 29 kills in the Pikeville match, the second-best single-match effort in the 11-year history of Eagle volleyball. She finished with 20 kills in the loss to Hastings and posted 19 against Fontbonne earlier in the day to put the Eagles into the semifinals against Pikeville.

Marinos and freshman setter #Marissa Gonzales# earned All-Beach Blast tournament honors. Gonzales recorded 60 assists against Pikeville and 36 in the matches against Fontbonne and Hastings.

The Eagles open Florida Sun Conference play next weekend when they host Webber International on Friday Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and then close out the weekend against Warner Southern on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 12 p.m.