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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

McBride_Gibbons_Block090624_DSC6197
Vinny O’Connor
3
Winner Central Okla. CentOK 7-0,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
1
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 3-1,0-0 Sunshine State
Winner
Central Okla. CentOK
7-0,0-0 Mid-America Intercollegiate
3
Final
1
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
3-1,0-0 Sunshine State
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Central Okla. CentOK 25 22 25 25 (3)
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 16 25 21 17 (1)

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

Volleyball Falls Short to No. 18 Bronchos in Block Fest

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - In the Embry-Riddle volleyball team's opening match of the Flagler Saints Classic, the Eagles were unable to upset No. 18 Central Oklahoma in the first-ever meeting between the two programs, losing 3-1 despite racking up 16 total blocks. It was the most rejections by the team since posting 17 against Nova Southeastern in the 2022 season finale and just half a block away from entering the program's all-time top-10 list. Dana Gibbons led the team with a career-high nine total blocks, one off from a top-10 single-match mark. Ruby Owen also contributed a personal-best seven stuffs, while Haley Manjack notched six blocks. 

Set one was a struggle for the Blue and Gold. ERAU possessed a slim 2-1 lead to start, but the Bronchos rattled off eight consecutive points to jump ahead 9-2. The deficit grew to ten points at 15-5 before Embry-Riddle began to chip away. Isabella Rujano produced back-to-back successful spikes to kickstart a 6-1 rally to bring the Eagles within five (17-12), but that's as close as they would get. UCO captured six of the final eight points to secure a 25-16 first-set win. 

The Bronchos took control of set two from the start with a 7-3 advantage. However, kills from four different Eagles brought Embry-Riddle back to tie the set (9-9). The block party began from there as ERAU registered four blocks, three of which included Gibbons, over its next nine points to go on a 9-2 spurt and take an 18-14 lead. Later on, the set was even at 21-21 when three Central Oklahoma errors gave the Eagles a chance at set point, which Jaden McBride converted on with a sharp spike. 

Set three went back and forth until UCO notched six unanswered points (10-5). The front row got Embry-Riddle back in the set with back-to-back blocks to turn a five-point deficit into a two-point lead (14-12). The Bronchos then took nine of the following 11 tallies to send the Blue and Gold behind 21-16 in a set that ended in UCO's favor 25-21. 

The Eagles gained a 2-1 lead to start the fourth set, but that would be the last time ERAU would lead as Central Oklahoma took the match on a 25-17 fourth-set victory. 

Rujano earned her fourth-straight double-double to begin the season with a team-high 15 kills and 13 digs as well as three blocks. McBride chipped in 12 kills and eight digs. Ashlyn Koerner was the team's top setter with a personal-best 29 assists to pair with seven digs. Owen also recorded career-highs, doing so in blocks (7) and digs (5). 

The Eagles have two matches on Saturday to conclude the Flagler Saints Classic. First up is a meeting with Belmont Abbey at 11 a.m. followed by a bout with Trevecca Nazarene at 3 p.m.
The 2024 Embry-Riddle volleyball season is presented by Radiology Associates.
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