Daytona Beach, Fla. - Junior Marissa Gonzales posted big numbers for the Embry-Riddle Eagles, aiding the team to a five game victory over the St. Thomas Bobcats on Saturday, September 15, at the ICI Center. She had 45 assists, 14 digs, five kills, and two service aces.
The Bobcats jumped at the Eagles from the start, staying close to the early lead produced by ERAU. Gonzales produced two of her assists in the last three volleys of game one, setting up Janelle Marinos and Savannah Trakes to capture the win, 30-28.
In game two, STU's top server, Daniela Orlandini served for her team eight times, grabbing seven points and was aided by Adriana Montilla who had six kills to take the second game. St. Thomas out-hit Embry-Riddle in game two with 19 kills in 46 attempts to 11 kills in 50 attempts.
Montilla took leadership of the Bobcats in game three putting the team up 7-0 in Eagle territory. With a gap in the score, Rachel Ridder and Jenni Nelson both served seven times for ERAU, putting their team back in the lead by three, 25-22. STU battled back, charting two kills and two service aces to regain the lead 29-28. Match-up problems led to two Eagles that allowed STU to capture win number two.
The Eagles came back to life in game four, finding the right rotation match-up to go against the Bobcat hitters, as well as the right group of athletes on the court. Trakes, Corey Dobrindia and Lauren Anastase each charted three kills in the 30-16 game-four win. The Eagles hit .316 in game four and have been victorious in every game this season in which they have hit over .300.
Business was taken care of in game five, as the Eagles charted eight kills and three service aces to complete their win over St. Thomas. Overall, Trakes led the team in kills with 15, also charting four service aces and 19 digs. Alana Martinez had 12 kills and 17 digs on the day. Anastase played in four games, charting seven kills, three service aces and nine digs.
Embry-Riddle will return to action at the Pepsi Beach Blast tournament hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University on Friday and Saturday, September 21-22, in Palm Beach, Fla. The Eagles first game will begin at 2:00 p.m.
ERAU 30 24 30 30 15
STU 28 30 32 16 11
BOX SCORE
