CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The fifth-ranked Embry-Riddle volleyball lost to No. 6 Lee, 25-12, 25-19, 25-20 on Saturday at the Paul Dana Walker Arena on the campus of Lee University. The Blue and Gold finish the Lee University Showcase tournament with a 2-1 record and fall to 6-2 overall on the season, while Lee improves to 7-5 and finishes the tournament with a 1-2 record.
 
The Eagles fell behind early in the first set and couldn't recover, falling behind 9-2 just a few minutes into the match. Back-to-back service aces from Veera Hietala closed the gap to 11-7, but that was the closest they would get. Lee capitalized on five ERAU errors as they closed out the set on a 13-4 run, winning 25-12. The Flames outhit Embry-Riddle in the first set, .447 to -.056.
 
As they had in both matches yesterday, the Eagles picked up the intensity level in the second set, battling with Lee throughout the frame. The Flames held a slim lead for most of the set until, but Lee caught fire with a 20-18 lead, finishing the set by winning five of the last six points to win, 25-19, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Blue and Gold played its best volleyball of the match early in the third set, leading by as many as three points (16-13). But a kill by Paula Martins followed by four consecutive kills from Marija Zelenovic put the Flames in front, 18-16, a lead they would not relinquish. Trailing 21-17, ERAU scored back-to-back points on Lee attack errors to close to within two points once again. But Lee answered back with a 4-1 run to close the set, 25-20, sweeping the match, 3-0.
 
Jordan Holcomb led the Eagles with nine kills to go along with 10 digs while Taylor Martin added seven kills and seven digs. Hannah Gray picked up a team-high 13 digs while Adriana Vazquez tallied 23 assists and nine digs.
 
Irene Ojukwu led all players with 13 kills in addition to picking up 16 digs. Zelenovic and Nicole Sumida added 11 kills apiece, while Martins chipped in with 10. Libby Peigen recorded a match-high 17 digs while Camil Martinez ran the Lee offense, compiling 42 assists as well as 10 digs.
 
The Eagles will travel to Bourbonnais, Ill. for the Holiday Inn Express Classic hosted by Olivet Nazarene. Embry-Riddle will take on No. 21 Cornerstone (Mich.) at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, followed by a 7 p.m. match against No. 8 Grand View (Iowa).