LAKELAND, Fla. — The Florida Southern College volleyball team (10-10, 4-8 SSC) fell to Nova Southeastern University (13-8, 6-6 SSC) in a four-set match on Thursday night at Jenkins Field House, with scores of 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 27-25.
FSC initiated the first set with a strong start, highlighted by sophomore
Bali Coles securing the opening point with a kill assisted by freshman
Brielle Mullen. Junior
Tori Borton followed up with another key kill, keeping the score even in the early exchanges. The team maintained momentum with contributions from juniors
Elizabeth McDonald and
Catherine Sweeney, ensuring a tightly contested set.
As the set progressed, Nova Southeastern gained the upper hand through consistent plays, including multiple kills by Olivia Aniol and Caiden Largent. Despite efforts by senior
Morgan Word and freshman
Chloe Moreland to close the gap, Nova capitalized on several errors and service aces to pull away. The period concluded with NSU leading 25-18, after a decisive kill from Taylor Stockman.Â
In the second set, Florida Southern responded to an early deficit, as Nova Southeastern took a quick 2-0 lead. Borton played a crucial role, delivering consecutive service aces to level the score at 5-5. As the set progressed, McDonald emerged as a key player, registering four consecutive kills to turn the tide and briefly give Florida Southern a 17-16 lead.
The set remained tightly contested with both teams trading points. Florida Southern capitalized on Nova Southeastern's errors to regain the lead at 24-22. A final decisive kill by McDonald, assisted by Mullen, secured the set for Florida Southern with a 25-23 victory, tying the match.
In the third set, the Mocs rallied early to even the score at 2-2, with Coles securing a key kill. The team continued to exchange points with the Sharks, briefly taking a 10-8 lead after a service ace by Word. However, Nova responded with a series of successful plays, including a service ace from Erika Spankus, to regain the lead.
Florida Southern fought back with McDonald and Coles adding kills to keep the score close at 14-14. Despite maintaining pressure and tying the score multiple times, the Sharks ultimately pulled ahead in the final stretch. A series of plays capped by a kill from Stockman allowed Nova to close the set with a 25-22 win, ending the set with Nova ahead.
Florida Southern began the fourth set with strong defensive plays, including a block by Sweeney and Borton, which helped them take an early lead. McDonald contributed with multiple kills, assisted by Mullen, extending the score to 5-3. Despite a challenge from NSU, Word's consistent attacks kept Florida Southern ahead as they reached 10-6.
In the middle of the set, the Sharks rallied to level the score at 10-10. The Mocs responded with key plays from Sweeney and Borton, regaining a two-point edge at 12-10. The teams traded points closely, with Word adding crucial kills to maintain a narrow lead at 20-18.
As the set approached its conclusion, both teams exchanged scoring runs, with Nova pulling ahead at 23-21. Despite Florida Southern's efforts, including two consecutive kills from Coles to tie it at 24-24, Nova Southeastern managed to clinch the set 27-25 with a final attack error from the Mocs.
Coles led the charge with 13 kills and three service aces. McDonald contributed significantly with 16 kills while Word was efficient, posting a hitting percentage of .556 with 12 kills and adding two aces. Sophomore
Nako Sasaki excelled defensively, notching 23 digs over the match.
Stockman led NSU with 16.0 points across four games, contributing 13 kills and four blocks. Avery Piatt stood out defensively, amassing 26 digs while also providing two assists. Gabrielle Spankus excelled in playmaking, recording 47 assists, alongside delivering a .571 hitting percentage with four kills.
Looking ahead, FSC will host Palm Beach Atlantic on Friday, Oct. 31 at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida. The match is set for 6 p.m.
