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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

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Nick Coy
3
Winner Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 18-6,9-4 Sunshine State
0
Florida Tech FT 8-16,2-12 Sunshine State
Winner
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
18-6,9-4 Sunshine State
3
Final
0
Florida Tech FT
8-16,2-12 Sunshine State
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 25 28 26 (3)
Florida Tech FT 21 26 24 (0)

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

Volleyball Shows Resilience in Sweep of Panthers

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Embry-Riddle volleyball team battled back from late-set deficits twice to send Florida Tech down in straight sets on Tuesday. The Eagles were down 23-20 in the second and 24-22 in the third and came back to win on both occasions. The victory pushed Embry-Riddle's win streak to six.

The Eagles (18-6, 9-4 Sunshine State Conference) improved to 14-4 all-time against the Panthers (8-16, 2-12 SSC) and have won 11 of the last 12 meetings. 

ERAU started hot by claiming six of the first seven points, partly due to four Panther attacking errors. A 3-0 run by Florida Tech cut that lead to 6-4, and eventually the set was even at 11-11. Later on at a 17-17 tie, the Eagles went on a 5-1 run, which included two blocks by Cameron Gilleland, to go up 22-18, but the Panthers fought back by taking the next three points to get within one at 22-21. Out of a timeout, ERAU settled in and claimed the final three rallies to win set one 25-21. 

Embry-Riddle used FIT miscues to its advantage. Fifteen of the Eagles' 25 points came from Panther errors. Five of those were attack errors courtesy of Gilleland blocks. 

FIT had the momentum this time to begin set two. The Panthers claimed the opening three points, but the Eagles answered with their own 3-0 run. Embry-Riddle increased its lead to 13-9 when Florida Tech stepped on the gas and turned the deficit into a three-point lead at 23-20. The Eagles battled on, though, and fought off an FIT set point to reclaim the lead at 25-24 off of an emphatic block by Isabella Rujano. The Panthers grabbed the next two points, but three consecutive blocks involving reigning SSC Defensive Player of the Week Dana Gibbons allowed ERAU to steal the set 28-26. 

Set three saw the Eagles jump ahead 6-4 and FIT followed with seven consecutive points to put ERAU behind 11-6. The Panthers kept their distance, but three straight kills from defending SSC Offensive Player of the Week Jaden McBride set the Blue and Gold on a 4-0 spurt to reclaim the lead at 18-17. Embry-Riddle later led 21-19 when FIT used a late-set surge of its own to take five of the following six points to reach set point at 24-22. Again, the Eagles didn't back down as they went on to gain the final four points of the match to seal the sweep with two straight McBride kills and win the set 26-24.

McBride finished with 13 kills and 12 digs while Gilleland added 10 kills, 14 digs, and a season-high five blocks. Rujano also reached double digits in kills with 10 and earned a season-best five blocks. Grace Datil and Devyn Petrowski split setting duties as both racked up 19 assists each. Gabriela Pagan accumulated a team-best 19 digs, and Gibbons led in blocks with six. 

The Eagles stay on the road as they travel to play RV Eckerd on Friday at 7 p.m.
The 2023 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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