DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The eighth-ranked Embry-Riddle volleyball team opened the 2011 season in convincing fashion on Friday night, sweeping Coastal Georgia, 25-4, 25-19, 25-8.
The Eagles jumped out in front early, winning the first nine points of the match, and they never looked back.
Jordan Holcomb's fifth kill of the set put the Blue and Gold in front 20-2, and a kill from
Abby Hall closed out the set, 25-4. The Eagles hit .591 in the set, while the Mariners posted a -.136 hitting percentage, recording just one kill.
The second set saw Coastal Georgia hold their own throughout most of the frame, trailing by just two points as late as 19-17. But the Eagles would close out the set on a 6-2 run, keyed by two kills and a block from Hall.
Set number three started out as a fairly close contest, with the Eagles clinging to a one-point lead after a service error brought the Mariners within 6-5. From that point, Embry-Riddle showed why they came in ranked eighth in the nation, rattling off a 19-3 run to finish the set and match. Adriana Vazquez picked up six assists, one kill, and four service aces during the run, including an ace that ended the set at 25-8.
Hall led the Eagles with 12 kills (.500 hitting percentage), while Taylor Martin added nine kills, a match-high 11 digs and three service aces. Holcomb chipped in with eight kills, three blocks and four aces, while Vazquez ran the offense efficiently with 35 assists to go along with a match-high five aces.
The Mariners, playing in their first-ever collegiate volleyball match, were led by Holly Hammer (five kills) and Ariel Lawless (three kills). Kaye Proctor and Al Aplington each registered a team-high five digs, while Maggie Bee ran the offense with nine assists and a pair of kills.
The Eagles return to action next weekend when they host the ERAU Labor Day Tournament Sept. 2-3 at the ICI Center. On Friday, Sept. 2, Embry-Riddle will take on Ashford (Iowa) at 2 p.m. and Madonna (Mich.) at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, the Blue and Gold will face No. 18 Rocky Mountain (Mont.) at 2 p.m. and Jamestown (N.D) at 7 p.m.
