DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team collected its sixth consecutive victory on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the visiting Eckerd Tritons in convincing fashion, 25-8, 25-15, 25-22. The Eagles improved to 10-7 and 5-6 in conference play, while Eckerd dropped to 11-7 and 4-6 in SSC matches.
Melanie Canfield had a match-high 10 kills and added nine digs, while
Theresa Jordan tallied nine kills along with career-highs in blocks (8) and service aces (5).
Ella Duggan chipped in seven blocks and six kills.
Alyssa Rudd racked up a match-leading 28 asists and
Olivia Roa led all players with 20 digs.
The Eagles stormed out of the gates, running out to an 11-2 lead in the first set. The lead ballooned to 18-3 after Jordan scored on her fourth service ace of the frame and the Blue and Gold would cruise to a 25-8 win.
Set two saw ERAU again jump out to an early lead, this time by a score of 7-2. The Tritons fought back and cut the deficit to a single point (14-13) but the Eagles responded by closing out the frame on an 11-2 spurt that included four blocks from Duggan and Jordan, giving Embry-Riddle a 25-15 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set was by far the most competitive of the match, with five ties and two lead changes occurring in the frame after the first two sets combined for just two ties and one lead change. Eckerd took the lead at 7-6 and led for a majority of the set, including as late as 19-18. After a bad set and an error from the Tritons, the Eagles retook the lead, 20-19. The teams traded sideouts for the next two points, but a kill from Jordan put ERAU ahead by a pair at 22-20. An EC ball-handling error gave the Eagles match point at 24-21, and after a service error gave the Tritons their 22nd point, Jordan pounded down the final kill of the match to secure the 25-22 win and 3-0 sweep for the Blue and Gold.
The Eagles hit the road next week for three Sunshine State Conference matches, beginning with a contest at No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic. That match is slated for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24.
