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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Rujano_091523_DSC8513
Nick Coy
2
Florida Tech FT 4-5,0-1 Sunshine Sta
3
Winner Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 8-2,2-0 Sunshine Sta
Florida Tech FT
4-5,0-1 Sunshine Sta
2
Final
3
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
8-2,2-0 Sunshine Sta
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Florida Tech FT 24 25 27 15 9 (2)
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 26 15 25 25 15 (3)

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

Volleyball Soars Back to Down Panthers in Five

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Thrilling Sunshine State Conference action continued on Friday night as the Embry-Riddle volleyball team was once again involved in a five-set affair, this time with Florida Tech. Despite going down two sets to one, the Eagles (8-2, 2-0 SSC) were able to storm back and beat the Panthers 3-2 to remain undefeated in league play and at the top of the standings. It's the fourth-straight year ERAU has won its opening two conference matches.

Winners of ten of the last 11 contests against Florida Tech, the victory moves the Eagles to 13-4 over the Panthers in the all-time series. It was just the second meeting between the two programs that needed a fifth set to determine a winner, with the first occurrence coming in the very first meeting back in 2006. 

Both offenses took one set to warm up as Embry-Riddle hit .170 while Florida Tech hit .087 in the first set. Neither team led by more than three points the entire time, though it was the Panthers (4-5, 0-1 SSC) who were in control for a majority of the set. With Florida Tech up 21-19, the Blue and Gold went on a 5-1 run to claim its first lead of the set at 24-22. Though the Panthers snatched the following two points to tie it at 24-24, Isabella Rujano spiked the ball down for a kill, and a Florida Tech attacking error allowed the Eagles to take the set 26-24. Jaden McBride had a monster set, recording seven of ERAU's 13 kills. 

The Panthers were looking to respond in set two, jumping out to a 4-1 lead. Though the Eagles did get within two points at 12-10, Florida Tech pulled away for a 25-15 set win. 

A pair of Hunter Ackerman aces gave ERAU the edge to start set three up 3-1. With the lead now 6-3, the Panthers scored five straight to put the Eagles behind 8-6. From there, the squads traded blows until the score was 17-16 Florida Tech when three successful Ackerman spikes helped push ERAU in front 20-17. Unfortunately, the Panthers had a late rally of their own, scoring six of the next seven to retake the lead 24-23. Though the Eagles were able to fight off two set points, Florida Tech ultimately secured the set 27-25. 

From that point on, the ERAU attack heated up severely. The Eagles hit above .300 over the next two sets to come back and steal the win. Behind 4-3, McBride brought Embry-Riddle back into the match with four kills over the next five points for a 8-4 Eagle advantage. Another 5-0 run, this time from four Panther miscues, ballooned the lead to 14-7. The Eagles kept Florida Tech at a comfortable distance, leading by no less than four points the ret of the way, taking set four 25-15. 

Set five was filled with energy as every kill by the Eagles led to an eruption from the nearly 500 fans on hand. With the score 10-8 Eagles, two Haley Manjack kills, an Ackerman kill and ace, along with a Panther mishit, allowed ERAU to complete the comeback 15-9 for a second-straight five-set win. 

McBride had another strong attacking performance, tying her career high with 26 kills on a .400 hitting percentage. The junior's 17 digs gave her a seventh double-double on the year. Meanwhile, Ackerman recorded her second double-double thanks to 14 kills and a career-best 16 digs. It was a well-rounded night for the Lake Mary product as she added four aces and four block assists to her final line. Grace Datil was once again the top setter with 39 assists, earning her fourth double-double with 11 digs. Dana Gibbons and Manjack were the leading blockers with six each, while Tamzen Wilson shined on the back row with a season-high 28 digs.

The Eagles head to South Florida for a pair of road matches next week, first at Palm Beach Atlantic on Friday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. and then at Nova Southeastern the following afternoon at 4 p.m.
The 2023 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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