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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Ackerman_090223_DSC06686
Nick Coy
3
Winner Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 7-2,1-0 Sunshine Sta
2
Rollins Roll 5-4,0-1 Sunshine Sta
Winner
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
7-2,1-0 Sunshine Sta
3
Final
2
Rollins Roll
5-4,0-1 Sunshine Sta
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 25 25 12 22 16 (3)
Rollins Roll 23 18 25 25 14 (2)

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

Volleyball Opens SSC Play With Nail-Biting Five-Set Win Over Tars

WINTER PARK, Fla. - In a match filled with ups and downs, the Embry-Riddle volleyball team narrowly edged Rollins to begin Sunshine State Conference play on Tuesday at the Alfond Sports Center. It marks the Eagles' tenth-straight win over the Tars, and Embry-Riddle improves to 13-2 in the all-time series and 7-1 on the road. 
 
The Eagles (7-2, 1-0 SSC) inched out to a four-point 9-5 lead to open the first set. With the score 8-5 Embry-Riddle, a misplaced set forced Hunter Ackerman to reach her arms out right next to the net and use an underhanded swing in an attempt to get the ball to Rollins' side of the court on the Eagles' third hit. The Tars (5-4, 0-1 SSC) expected nothing of the effort, but the ball floated from the far side to the near side and landed in the front left corner of Rollins' court for a Blue and Gold point.

Later in the set, the Eagles went on a 5-1 spurt to lead 17-11. At 18-12, the tars scored five unanswered points to trim ERAU's lead to one at 18-17. Immediately, the Eagles responded by taking four of the next five rallies to push the advantage back up to four points at 22-18. Two points later, Rollins scored four straight to tie the match at 23 all. Thankfully, Haley Manjack brought the Blue and Gold to a set point at 24-23. 

Tamzen Wilson had a monumental dig in the next rally. Off of a Rollins block, the libero was in the right place at the right time as the blocked attack was sent right at her, leaving her just a fraction of a second to get set and keep the ball in the air. Later in the rally, Jaden McBride unloaded on a ball to seal the first set 25-23.

It was another early lead for Embry-Riddle in the second set, taking a 6-2 advantage to start. The two teams traded blows as the set progressed, with the Eagles unable to put more than two points between themselves and the Tars. With ERAU up 18-16, Gabriela Pagan showed great defense can also be great offense. A Tar spiked the ball right at the sophomore on the back row, and it deflected off her chest. Still carrying strong momentum, the ball sailed back over to Rollins' side of the court to an empty area in between the two rows of Tars on the right side for a kill. 

That miraculous play ignited a 6-2 Eagle run that carried ERAU to a second-set win 25-18.

A lopsided third set followed as Rollins started it with a 8-1 run that turned into a 13-point deficit for Embry-Riddle at 23-10. A few rallies later, the Tars captured the set 25-12.

The Eagles returned the favor in set four, jumping out to a 6-1 lead partly thanks to back-to-back Tamzen Wilson aces. However, Rollins immediately scored three straight to get back in the set 6-4. ERAU managed to work the lead back up to six at 11-5, but five-consecutive points by the Tars cut that lead down to one. 

Three Tars attacking errors gave the Eagles a four-point advantage at 16-12, but that lead evaporated when Rollins used four and five point runs to go ahead 22-20. Eventually, the Tars took the fourth set 25-22 to force a decisive fifth set.

Things looked promising as ERAU started with four-straight points, two of which were aces by Grace Datil. Rollins reeled the Eagles back in, trying the set at 7-7 when McBride spiked the ball with authority to allow ERAU to retake the lead at the midway point. Back-to-back Ruby Owen kills gave the Blue and Gold some breathing room at 12-9, but again, the Tars fought back to even the score at 14-14. Though the momentum swung toward the home team, McBride dialed in and sealed the victory with a pair of kills.

The junior led the team with 17 kills and three blocks and matched her season-best in digs with 17 for her sixth double-double of 2023. Also of note, Datil picked up 34 assists and 12 digs for her third double-double. 

The Eagles have their first home SSC match of the season this Friday, Sept. 15 against Florida Tech at 7 p.m. It's Student Organization Kickoff Night presented by Stoked Poke.  
The 2023 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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