DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team suffered a 3-1 defeat (21-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-23) at the hands of Nova Southeastern on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, ERAU falls to 6-7, while NSU improves to 8-6.
 
Theresa Jordan led the Eagles with a career-high 10 kills while Amanda Saunders added nine kills, eight digs and a team-high three blocks. Olivia Roa picked up a match-best 27 digs while Jordan Nakayama (21 assists, 12 digs) and Alyssa Rudd (15 assists) ran the Eagle offense.
 
A kill from Paola Virella put ERAU in front in set one, 11-10, and the Eagles would lead for the remainder of the frame. The Sharks made several attempts at pulling even, getting within a single point on multiple occasions, but the Blue and Gold held off NSU for a 25-21 win.
 
Nova Southeastern got the jump early in set two, using a 10-5 run to pull away to a 16-9 advantage. The Sharks continued to stretch the lead, eventually winning by a 25-15 score to tie the match at 1-1.
 
The third set was knotted up at 10-10 when NSU went on a 9-3 spurt to take a commanding 19-13 lead. The Eagles cut the deficit to four (23-19) but couldn't get any closer as the Sharks went on to claim a 25-20 win and a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Set four saw Nova Southeastern win seven of the first eight rallies to take control early at 7-1. The Eagles fought back and got to within a point (9-8) on a kill from Alex Reese. After NSU recovered to restore a six-point advantage (16-10), the Blue and Gold went on a furious rally, scoring nine of the next 11 points to take the lead, 19-18. A service ace from Rudd made it 22-19 and an attack error put ERAU within two points of sending the match to a decisive fifth set at 23-21. But the Sharks had other ideas, ending the match with four consecutive points to win the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
 
The Eagles are back at home next weekend when they play host to Eckerd on Friday at 7 p.m. and No. 21 Florida Southern on Saturday at 4 p.m.