DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team dropped its fourth consecutive contest on Saturday, falling in three sets (25-17, 25-16, 25-21) to 23rd-ranked Tampa. The Eagles now sit at .500 on the year with an 11-11 mark while the Spartans improve to 17-6.
 
Amanda Saunders led the offense, accounting for 16 of ERAU's 27 kills. Jordan Nakayama led the team in assists (13) and digs (11) while Laina Blanton had a team-high three blocks.
 
The Spartans got off to a fast start in set one, quickly opening up a 13-3 lead. The Eagles tried to chip away at the deficit, but the closest ERAU got was six points (21-15) as UT ran away with set one, 25-17.
 
In set two, Tampa again jumped out early, this time taking a 6-1 lead. But the Blue and Gold rebounded this time, going on a 6-0 run to take a 7-6 lead, its first of the afternoon. The Eagles again briefly held a lead at 12-11, but UT answered back with a 6-0 run of their own to take a 17-12 lead, which they did not surrender. The Spartans went on to win the set 25-16, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The Eagles took a short-lived 3-1 lead in set three, but Tampa was able to pull ahead, eventually leading 14-9 midway through the frame. ERAU fought back to within two (17-15), only to see UT double the lead to four (19-15) over the next two rallies. The Blue and Gold showed some resiliency as a Saunders kill sparked a 5-1 run that pulled the Eagles even with the Spartans at 20-20. Tampa was able to regroup and score points on five of the final six rallies of the match, winning the third frame 25-21, and the match, 3-0.
 
The Eagles hit the road next weekend for away matches at Nova Southeastern on Friday, Nov. 4, and at No. 12 Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, Nov. 5.