ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team dropped below .500 for just the third time all season with a 3-0 loss (25-15, 25-20, 25-22) at Eckerd on Saturday afternoon. The defeat pushes ERAU's record to 13-14, while EC goes to 17-12.
 
Amanda Saunders led the Eagles with 14 kills and 13 digs, while McKenna James chipped in with nine kills and three blocks (one solo) and Jordan Nakayama tallied 33 assists. Olivia Roa (12 digs) and Paola Virella (11 digs) also reached double-digits in digs for the Eagles.
 
The Tritons used a 10-2 run to take control of the first set, turning a 5-2 Eagle lead into a 12-7 advantage for the Tritons. The EC lead reached double-digits at 23-13 as the home team took the opening set, 25-15.
 
Set two saw Eckerd rattle off 15 out of 19 points to pull away to an 18-9 lead, which proved to be insurmountable. The Eagles made it interesting, scoring seven straight points with EC one point away from clinching the set, but 24-20 was the closest ERAU would get as Eckerd won the final rally of the set to win 25-20, taking a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
In the third set, EC took an early 6-2 lead but the Eagles battled back, eventually pulling ahead 13-12 on a Virella kill. The ERAU lead reached three points (19-16) before the Tritons scored three straight to tie it at 19. The two sides traded sideouts until the score was tied at 22, at which point Eckerd was able to score points on three straight kills to win the set, 25-22, and the match, 3-0.
 
The Eagles return home on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to host Florida Southern at 7 p.m. That match was originally scheduled for Oct. 8 but was rescheduled to next Tuesday due to Hurricane Matthew.