DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Florida Southern College volleyball team (10-9, 4-7 SSC) fell in a narrow five-set contest against Embry-Riddle (13-8, 6-5 SSC) at the ICI Center, with set scores of 26-24, 23-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-13.
The first set began with FSC starting strong by capitalizing on an early service error from Embry-Riddle, leveling the score at 1-1. Senior
Morgan Word and junior
Elizabeth McDonald provided key offensive plays, with Word contributing multiple kills to keep the score even through the midpoint of the set. A service ace by freshman
Brielle Mullen gave Florida Southern momentum, resulting in a 9-9 tie.
The Mocs continued to challenge Embry-Riddle, with Word and McDonald each delivering crucial kills to maintain pressure. A service ace by sophomore
Nako Sasaki helped FSC close a late deficit, tying the score at 24-24. However, the Eagles managed to clinch the set with a 26-24 win after securing the final two points.
Embry-Riddle opened the second set with an early lead, capitalizing on a service ace and a series of successful plays to extend their advantage to 7-2. Florida Southern responded with a steady comeback, led by Word's impactful kills and defensive blocks from freshman
Chloe Moreland and McDonald, to close the gap to 11-11.
The teams traded points throughout the middle of the set, with freshman
Layla Visser contributing key kills to keep the score tight. Florida Southern gained momentum through consecutive service aces by sophomore
Bali Coles, pushing them ahead 20-19. Despite Embry-Riddle's efforts to regain control, junior
Catherine Sweeney's decisive kill secured a 25-23 win for the Mocs, leveling the match at one set each.
The third set began with Florida Southern gaining early momentum through an effective service ace from junior
Tori Borton, leveling the score at 4-4. A kill by Coles briefly put the visitors ahead, but a series of errors allowed ERAU to regain control. Despite continued offensive efforts, including kills from McDonald and Word, the Eagles capitalized on a run of attack errors by Florida Southern to extend their lead.
With the score at 18-12 in favor of the Eagles, the Moccasins attempted to close the gap through persistent efforts, highlighted by Sweeney's kill. However, ERAU maintained their advantage, executing a series of successful plays to reach a decisive 25-15 conclusion, securing the set.
The fourth set began with Florida Southern gaining early momentum through a kill by McDonald, assisted by Mullen, and a follow-up kill by Visser. Despite ERAU's response to tie the score at 2-2, the Mocs' defensive effort, highlighted by a service error from the Eagles, maintained a tight contest with the score knotted at 4-4.
As the set progressed, Florida Southern capitalized on ERAU errors and successful blocks from Visser and McDonald to build a narrow 10-8 lead. The Eagles fought back, tying the score at 10-10, and briefly took the lead. However, Florida Southern regained control with a series of kills from McDonald and freshman
Drew Page, bringing the score to 16-13.
In the closing stages, Florida Southern surged ahead with consistent play from McDonald, who tallied several crucial kills, and a pivotal service ace by Mullen. The set concluded with a 25-22 victory for the Mocs following a ball handling error by ERAU, securing the set win and extending the match.
In the decisive fifth set, FSC jumped to an early lead with Visser and Sweeney combining for a block against Isabella Rujano, followed by a Dakota Zieman attack error that put the team ahead 2-0. Despite the Eagles' efforts to equalize, the Mocs capitalized on opponent errors, including another by Rujano, to maintain a slim advantage at 3-2.
As the set progressed, the Mocs briefly fell behind 6-4 after a series of points by the Eagles. However, momentum shifted with kills from Coles and Word, bringing the score back to 6-6. The teams continued to trade points, with McDonald contributing crucial kills to keep the score tight.
Ultimately, Florida Southern battled to close the gap late in the set, with McDonald adding another kill to narrow the margin to 14-13. However, a final kill by Rujano sealed the set for ERAU at 15-13, concluding a closely contested match.
Word contributed 14 kills and three block assists, amassing a total of 16.5 points. McDonald added 15 kills and three block assists, also reaching 16.5 points. Mullen served four aces and collected 17 digs, enhancing the team's defensive efforts, while handing out a team-best 22 assists. Borton facilitated the offense with 21 assists and recorded 19 digs on the defensive side. Sasaki led the backline with one shy of a career-best with 30 digs. Visser dominated the front with seven blocks while adding nine digs.Â
Haley Manjack led the Eagles with a strong performance, accumulating 15 kills on a .600 hitting percentage and contributing six total blocks, which resulted in a team-high 21 points. Zieman was another key player, leading the team in points with 21.5, thanks to 20 kills and 11 digs. Ashlyn Koerner facilitated the offense effectively, providing 35 assists while also adding 17 digs in her five appearances. Gabriela Pagan was a defensive anchor, recording 26 digs to support the back line.
Up next for the Mocs, they will host Nova Southeastern on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. at the George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Fla.
