BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team took a little while to find its footing on Friday, but once it did, the Blue and Gold fought all the way back from an 0-2 deficit to earn a hard-fought 3-2 victory (19-25, 15-25, 25-14, 25-22, 15-12) over Lynn at the De Hoernle Center in Boca Raton. The win improves ERAU's season record to 11-7, while the Fighting Knights fall to 12-8.
Amanda Saunders led the way with 17 kills and seven blocks, while
McKenna James added 11 kills and seven blocks (one solo).
Asya Oguz tallied eight kills and
Theresa Jordan chipped in with six.
Maile Spenser (18 digs) and
Olivia Roa (13 digs) anchored the back row while
Jordan Nakayama (23 assists, nine digs) and
Alyssa Rudd (21 assists, seven digs) ran the Eagle offense.
In set one, Lynn used an early 6-0 run to jump out to a 10-5 lead. The Eagles got back to within a couple of points on a Virella kill (14-12), but that was the closest ERAU would get as the Fighting Knights pulled away late for a 25-19 win.
Lynn maintained the momentum throughout the second set, opening up an 8-1 lead early and never looking back. The Blue and Gold couldn't mount a comeback and the Fighting Knights went on to win the frame, 25-15, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Eagles stole the momentum after the eight-minute break, scoring five of the first six points of the third set. LU got to within a pair at 7-5, but ERAU didn't let up, pushing the lead to nine points (19-10) before ending the set on a 4-1 run to easily win the frame, 25-14, sending the match to a fourth set with Lynn still up 2-1.
The fourth set saw both teams battle back-and-forth until a kill from James put ERAU ahead 14-13, which would prove to be the final lead change of the frame. A block from James and Oguz increased the lead to 20-17 and the Eagles finished off the set with a 25-22 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
The Eagles dominated the early stages of set five, running out to a 9-2 lead almost immediately. Lynn managed to trim the margin down to as little as two points (13-11), but the Blue and Gold were able to hang on for the 15-12 win, completing the 3-2 comeback victory.
ERAU will be back in action tomorrow afternoon in a 4 p.m. contest at Barry in Miami Shores.
