DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team dropped a four-set contest to visiting Tampa on Saturday, falling 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-23. The loss brings ERAU's season record to 10-2 and its conference mark to 6-2, while the Spartans improve to 11-6 overall and 7-2 in league play. With their 6-2 conference record, the Eagles now sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Sunshine State Conference.
Kristin vom Schemm led all players with a season-high 18 kills and she also collected a season-high 15 digs to record her fourth double-double of the year.
Melanie Canfield contributed 14 kills and
Jordan Schumacher added 13 kills, 10 digs, and three service aces.
Olivia Roa picked up a match-best 36 digs and
Alyssa Rudd distributed a match-leading 47 assists.
The Spartans jumped out to a 7-3 lead in set one and never trailed. The lead grew to as many as eight points (14-6), but the Eagles rallied with an 8-2 run to get within two at 19-17. Tampa put together a pair of 3-0 spurts in the closing stages to clinch the set, 25-20.
Set two saw ERAU jump out to a quick 3-1 lead only to have UT go on a 5-1 run to pull ahead, 6-4. Embry-Riddle used a 6-2 run in the middle of the frame to retake a slim 18-17 advantage, but it would prove to be short-lived as the visitors finished the set by winning eight of the last 11 points to secure a 25-21 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.
In the third set, the Blue and Gold scored four consecutive points to take an early 9-5 lead. After Tampa closed the gap to just two points (13-11), ERAU rattled off five straight points to take its biggest lead of the match at 18-11. The Spartans didn't go away quietly, chipping away at the lead until it had shrunk to two points (21-19), but a service error stopped the momentum.
Theresa Jordan put down a big solo block on the next rally and vom Schemm followed with an important service ace to give the Eagles set point at 24-19. Tampa staved off two set points before a Schumacher kill clinched the set at 25-21, sending the match to a fourth frame.
Embry-Riddle started strong in set four, taking an early 6-3 lead. Tampa kept things close, and eventually went on an 8-1 run to go ahead, 18-13. The Eagles displayed their resiliency, scoring four straight points to trim the deficit to one (18-17) as part of an 10-3 spurt that gave the home side a 23-21 lead. Unfortunately for the Blue and Gold, the Spartans responded with four straight scores to win the set, 25-23, clinching the 3-1 match win.
Next up for the Eagles is the South Region Crossover Tournament which will take place Oct. 18-19 in Hoover, Alabama. ERAU will face off against three opponents from the Gulf South Conference, with seedings and match-ups to be announced soon.
