FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Florida Southern College volleyball team (8-3, 2-1 SSC) edged out Nova Southeastern University (8-4, 1-2 SSC) in a thrilling five-set match at Rick Case Arena on Friday night, winning 17-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 16-14. This victory marks another success for the Moccasins against unranked opponents, improving their record to 8-0 this season in such matchups.
The first set commenced with Florida Southern gaining an early advantage as sophomore
Bali Coles delivered a kill assisted by sophomore
Nako Sasaki, setting the tone for a competitive start. Despite the Mocs' efforts, Nova Southeastern responded with several scoring drives, with Caiden Largent and Olivia Aniol contributing key kills to maintain their presence.
Midway through the set, Florida Southern rallied with critical points from sophomore
Lindsay Piktel and freshman
Whitney Mall, keeping the score tight. A service ace from the team and strategic kills by Coles and Piktel showcased their offensive capabilities, leveling the score at 15-15.
However, NSU capitalized on a series of FSC errors to pull ahead. Although Florida Southern managed to secure late points through a service error by the Sharks and a kill by freshman
Chloe Moreland, NSU closed the set strong with a decisive kill from Brantley Chipley, concluding the first set with a 25-17 lead.
In the second set, FSC turned the momentum in its favor after an early deficit. Trailing 4-0, Mall's kill initiated a response that was bolstered by Piktel's multiple kills, bringing the score closer. Key plays included a service ace by Sasaki and a block by senior
Morgan Word and Moreland, which helped equalize the score at 7-7.
The set saw a competitive exchange of points, with Coles and Piktel contributing crucial kills to maintain a narrow lead. Florida Southern capitalized on Nova's errors and extended their advantage with a late run, highlighted by Moreland's back-to-back kills. The set concluded with a decisive service ace by Coles and a final kill from Piktel, securing a 25-19 victory.
In the third set, FSC initiated a brief comeback effort with Mall and Piktel contributing key kills to keep the score close. Despite several errors, the team capitalized on mistakes by Nova Southeastern, with Coles and Piktel each securing points to narrow the margin. However, the Sharks maintained a consistent offensive push, led by Caiden Largent and Taylor Stockman, ultimately securing the set.
Florida Southern concluded the set by tightening the score with a late block from Word and Piktel, followed by a kill from Piktel. However, a final kill from NSU's Caiden Largent sealed the set at 25-21 in favor of the home team.
Florida Southern began the fourth set with a strong performance, quickly overcoming an initial deficit. Mall's early kill set the tone, and junior
Tori Borton then engineered a significant run with three consecutive service aces, propelling the Moccasins to a 7-5 lead. The momentum continued as Borton contributed a kill and an assist, extending the lead to 12-5.
Despite a brief response from the Sharks, Florida Southern maintained control. Piktel and Word added key kills, while defensive blocks from junior
Catherine Sweeney and Coles solidified their advantage. The visitors capitalized on Nova's errors to sustain a five-point cushion.
In the closing stages, Mall and Coles delivered crucial kills, ensuring Florida Southern stayed ahead. Although Nova Southeastern mounted a late push, narrowing the gap to 24-22, Coles' decisive kill secured the set at 25-22, concluding the set with Florida Southern taking the victory.
In the decisive fifth set, FSC opened with a balanced attack, quickly equalizing the score at 1-1 with a kill from Coles, assisted by freshman
Brielle Mullen. A series of successful plays, including a kill by Piktel and a block-induced error by Erika Spankus, pushed the Mocs ahead. Mall contributed to maintaining this momentum with a kill, assisted by Sasaki, extending the lead to 4-2.
As the set advanced, FSC held its ground with contributions from Word and Coles, maintaining a slim margin against Nova Southeastern. Despite a service error allowing NSU to tie the score at 8-8, a service ace from Coles reclaimed the lead for the Mocs. Defensive efforts from Mall and Sweeney, resulting in a block, preserved the narrow advantage at 12-11.
Florida Southern exhibited resilience in the closing moments, with decisive plays from Piktel and Word steering the team to a 15-14 edge. The set culminated with a critical attack error from Nova Southeastern's Caiden Largent, sealing Florida Southern's 16-14 victory in the final set. This victory also marks the fourth win for the Mocs in their last five encounters with Nova Southeastern, with the last two meetings being intense five-set victories.
Piktel led the way for the Moccasins with 23 kills on 49 attempts, contributing 24.5 points. Coles added 16 kills and 15 digs, amassing 19.5 points over five sets. Borton distributed the ball effectively with 21 assists and contributed defensively with five digs. Sasaki was a standout in defense, recording 26 digs while also adding six assists.
Olivia Aniol led the Sharks with 18 points and five total blocks, recording 13 kills on a .300 hitting percentage. Setter Abbie Roth contributed significantly with 41 assists over five sets, helping facilitate the team's offensive efforts. Taylor Stockman was a key defensive presence, amassing 23 digs to anchor the back row.
Looking ahead, the Mocs will face off against Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, October 4. The match will take place at Rubin Arena in West Palm Beach, Fla., with action beginning at 4 p.m.
