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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Luniewski_111823_0H1A7057.png
Preston Luniewski
3
Winner Fla. Southern FSC 20-9,13-7 Sunshine S
2
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 22-9,13-7 Sunshine S
Winner
Fla. Southern FSC
20-9,13-7 Sunshine S
3
Final
2
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
22-9,13-7 Sunshine S
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Fla. Southern FSC 25 25 13 18 15 (3)
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 20 22 25 25 11 (2)

Game Recap: RV Women's Volleyball | | Kyrin Mayfield | @k_mayfield97

Volleyball Loses 3-2 to Mocs on Senior Night

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The 2023 regular season came to a close for the Embry-Riddle volleyball team on Saturday night with a five-set loss to Florida Southern. The Eagles (22-9, 13-7 Sunshine State Conference) end the season tied for third in the SSC standings with the Mocs (20-9, 13-7 SSC). Before the game, seniors Tamzen Wilson, Devyn Petrowski, Cameron Gilleland, Trinity Gibson, and Amia Owolabi were celebrated for all their hard work and dedication throughout their time as Eagles. 

Despite the loss, Embry-Riddle did outhit Florida Southern .250 to .215 and recorded nine more digs by a mark of 83-74. Both teams were even in both aces (10) and blocks (9).

The hitters for both squads were warmed up from the start as the two teams were attacking over .400 about halfway through the opening set. The Eagles took an early 8-4 lead with kills from four different members of the Blue and Gold. Then up 14-9, the Mocs used a 5-1 run to cut ERAU's advantage to 15-14. After the Eagles grabbed the next two points with back-to-back kills by Dana Gibbons, FSC scored seven unanswered points to push the Eagles down 21-17, and the Mocs held on for a 25-20 set win.

Set two was even at the start with a 7-7 score. From there, Embry-Riddle used a pair of three-point spurts from five FSC attacking errors to gain a 13-9 advantage. However, the Mocs responded with an 8-2 run to send the home team behind 17-15. Though two consecutive aces from Jaden McBride helped the Eagles regain the lead at 18-17, Florida Southern surged back ahead on four straight points to once again lead 21-18 and later take set two 25-22.

Kailey Hrbek gave the Eagles hope late in the second set with the Eagles down 24-21. An attempted block by the Mocs sent the ball speeding back over the net to ERAU's side of the court. However, Hrbek was positioned directly in front of the blocked ball, which allowed the ball to deflect off her head and back over to FSC's side and down for a Blue and Gold point all within the span of a second. 

Determined to stay in the match, Embry-Riddle was prepped and ready to go to begin the third set. The Eagles accumulated seven of the first nine points to lead 7-2. The momentum briefly turned to the away team when FSC rattled off four points in a row to cut ERAU's lead to two at 12-10 and later 13-11. From there, Embry-Riddle outscored Florida Southern 13-2 from seven FSC mishits and ended the set on a 6-0 run to win 25-13. 

Through the first half of set four, neither team could earn more than two points of separation. With FSC leading 14-12, The Eagles strung together a 5-1 run to snatch the lead at 17-15. The Mocs picked up the next point to get within one, but ERAU put its foot down to end the set on an 8-2 spurt with four Mocs miscues to win 25-18 and send the match to a decisive fifth set for the third time this week. 

The Eagle defense was holding up well, limiting Florida Southern to hit percentages of .000 and .154 in the third and fourth sets. That strong play carried over into the fifth set. McBride racked up three kills to aid ERAU to a 6-2 start, but then the Mocs took over. Out of an FSC timeout, the Mocs went on a 7-1 run to jump ahead 9-7. The Eagles stayed close after the next couple of rallies to be only behind one at 10-9, but Florida Southern closed the match out on a 5-2 streak to win the fifth set 15-11. 

Isabella Rujano led the team with 16 kills, a .405 hit percentage, and six blocks. McBride was close behind with 14 kills and 12 digs, and Gilleland also picked up a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Grace Datil was the team's top setter with 23 assists and 14 digs. Petrowski just missed out on a double-double with 20 assists and nine digs. Gabriela Pagan led in digs with 28, which tied her career high, and Hrbek was the leading blocker with seven rejections. 

Embry-Riddle now must wait and see if it receives a bid to the NCAA II National Tournament. The selection show is scheduled for Monday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. It will be broadcast on NCAA.com. 
The 2023 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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