MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team fell in three sets (25-18, 25-16, 25-23) at Florida Tech on Tuesday evening. With the loss, the Eagles move at 12-10 on the year, while FIT improves to 11-10.
 
Evelina Abdurakhmanova led all players with 16 kills while Ella Duggan chipped in eight hills and a match-high five blocks (one solo) while hitting .438. Tamires Ferreira tallied a match-best 31 assists to go along with 10 digs and Caitlyn Ballard picked up a team-leading 21 digs.
 
An 8-0 run early in the first set put Florida Tech in the driver's seat, leading 12-4. A Ballard service ace brought the Eagles to within five (12-7), but that would be the closest they would get as FIT pulled away for a 25-18 victory.
 
The Blue and Gold held a slim 5-3 lead early in the second set before the Panthers went on a 5-2 run to move ahead, 8-7. An Ella Duggan kill brought the Eagles onto level ground at 12-12, but FIT rattled off 10 of the next 11 points to take control of the frame, 22-13. It took six more rallies for the Panthers to claim the set, 25-16.
 
The third set saw Embry-Riddle score the first three points and quickly establish a comfortable 9-4 advantage. The Panthers wasted no time responding, using a 7-2 spurt to tie the set at 11 points apiece. A block gave FIT its first lead of the set at 15-14, but the Blue and Gold fought to stay close, never allowing the Panthers to extend their lead beyond two points. An Abdurakhmanova kill gave ERAU its last lead at 21-20 before Florida Tech scored five of the final seven points to win the set, 25-23, completing the sweep.
 
The Eagles are back in action on Thursday when they travel across the state to face No. 5 Tampa at 7 p.m.