DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The seventh-ranked Embry-Riddle volleyball team needed just over an hour to complete a 3-0 sweep (25-11, 25-10, 25-13) over Northwood on Thursday night inside the ICI Center. The Eagles improve to 23-4 and 7-0 in conference play while the Seahawks fall to 4-14 and 2-8 in the league.
 
The Blue and Gold took control of the first set with a 12-1 run keyed by four service aces, two each from Taylor Martin and Veera Hietala, to take a 20-7 lead. A few points later the Eagles finished off the set, 25-11.
 
Set two saw Embry-Riddle jump out to an 8-2 lead and never look back. An 8-1 run that featured points scored by five different Eagles built the lead to 16-5, and the set finished on a 7-1 run that included six Northwood errors. The Blue and Gold won the set, 25-10, to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set opened with ERAU scoring six of the first seven points, eventually building to a 14-4 lead for the Eagles. After the Seahawks narrowed the gap to six points (15-9), Embry-Riddle rattled off a 7-1 run to put the set and match out of reach at 22-10. Erika Hinel put down kills on two of the final three points as the Blue and Gold won the set, 25-13, sweeping the match, 3-0.
 
Martin led all players with 10 kills and hit .421 while Hinel chipped in with seven kills and Jordan Holcomb and Cailey Washington (.455 hitting percentage) added six kills apiece. Martin and Holcomb each tallied three of the Eagles' 11 service aces as well. Hannah Gray collected a match-high 11 digs while Adriana Vazquez (23 assists) and Erin McIntyre (12 assists) shared the setting duties as the Eagles hit .405 for the match.
 
Jennifer Vasquez led the Seahawks with six kills and six digs while Kelsie Kopicki added five kills. Danielle Lampman and Anabell Canell each recorded five digs and Christina Ruggeri totaled 12 assists.
 
The Eagles return to action on Saturday when they host Ave Maria at 2 p.m. Saturday's match will be ERAU's first-ever “Think Pink” match where the Eagles will wear pink shoelaces to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer. One dollar from each ticket sale will go to the American Cancer Society to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All fans are encouraged to wear pink and everyone in attendance will have an opportunity to take part in the donut-making station presented by Dunkin Donuts, where fans can decorate their own delicious creation with pink frosting and Halloween sprinkles to support the cause.