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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Gibbons_091523_DSC8736
Nick Coy
0
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 12-6,6-4 Sunshine St
3
Winner Tampa UT 17-0,11-0 Sunshine S
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
12-6,6-4 Sunshine St
0
Final
3
Tampa UT
17-0,11-0 Sunshine S
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 15 16 20 (0)
Tampa UT 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: RV Women's Volleyball | | Kyrin Mayfield

Volleyball Unable to Upset No. 3 Spartans

TAMPA, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle volleyball team faced its third ranked team of the season on Saturday, and the result was a 3-0 road loss to No. 3 Tampa at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. It was the highest ranked opponent the program has ever faced in its NCAA II era and the first time the Eagles played a top-3 team since 2014.

Though trying to beat the top team in the Sunshine State Conference is a daunting task, the Eagles (12-6, 6-4 SSC) seemed up to the challenge as ERAU jumped out to a 5-3 lead to start the match. However, Tampa (17-0, 11-0 SSC) showed just exactly why it's one of the top teams in the nation when the Spartans went on a 7-0 run to take control 10-5. However, the Eagles stayed strong and were eventually able to dig themselves out of the hole thanks to a 5-0 spurt fueled by three kills from Hunter Ackermann and two aces courtesy of Grace Datil, forcing a Tampa timeout.

Out of the break, the Spartans strung together five consecutive points to once again lead by as much, this time making ERAU call for a pause in play. Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to regroup, and they dropped set one 25-15.

Tampa carried over the momentum into set two by taking five of the first six points. Even though the Eagles were able to muster a 3-0 run later on in the set, they were unable to get closer than three points and lost set two 25-16.

Set three was fairly equal as the two teams traded points until the score was evened at four points each, but UT went on a 4-0 run. The Spartans maintained that advantage with the score at 14-10, but ERAU attempted to make a comeback with a 3-0 scoring streak. At the moment, the Eagles possessed a higher set hit percentage than the Spartans thanks to the resurgence of Jaden McBride, who had five kills in the set at that point. 

Unfortunately, Embry-Riddle was unable to take the lead from Tampa, and the Spartans took set three 25-20 to seal the match. 

McBride was the top attacker with 10 kills, but Ackermann and Isabella Rujano followed close behind with nine each. Datil recorded 20 assists, Tamzen Wilson led in digs with 13, and Kailey Hrbek was the top blocker with two.

The Eagles step away from conference play with the South Region Crossover next weekend. The schedule for that event is expected to be released within the coming days. 
The 2023 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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