DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle volleyball team put forth a valiant effort but the Eagles were unable to get by Tampa on Saturday. The Eagles fell to the sixth-ranked Spartans in four sets (25-12, 25-17, 23-25, 25-17) to close out a two-match weekend at the ICI Center. The Eagles are now 15-11 on the year and 6-9 in the Sunshine State Conference, while Tampa is 22-2 overall and 12-2 in the league.

Isabella Adamczyk registered a career-high 11 kills, which matched Cameron Gilleland's 11-kill output to lead the Eagle offense. Gilleland also led the Eagles in digs (16), while Lexie Hage finished with 20 kills and three service aces.
 
Tampa used a .360 attack percentage with 12 kills and six blocks for a decisive  25-12 win in the first set.

The Spartans were on pace for a similar performance in the second set, taking an 8-3 lead to open the frame. But the Eagle offense improved significantly from the first set, including three kills on four swings by Isabella Rujano and they made it a three-point game at 10-7. Tampa was able to widen the gap again and eventually pulled out the 25-17 win to take a two-set lead.
 
The Spartans jumped out in front to start the third set but this time, the Eagles kept them close and kills by Dana Gibbons and Cameron Gilleland highlighted a 3-0 Eagle run that tied the set at 16-16. Tampa scored the next two points, but the Blue and Gold went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the set, 22-18. A controversial four-hit call slowed the Eagles' momentum and allowed the Spartans to make it a one-point game (24-23), but the Eagles got the point they needed on a Tampa error to win the set 25-23.

In the fourth set. the Eagles struggled to keep pace with a Spartan team hitting .444. Tampa led 9-2 early and never looked back, taking the fourth 25-17 for their eighth consecutive victory.

The Eagles' next match with be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday when they travel to Winter Park for a rematch with Rollins.

The 2022 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.