MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – Facing an opposing
match-point opportunity, the Rollins volleyball team mustered its
best comeback of the season to capture a 3-2 (25-18, 21-25, 26-24,
27-25, 18-16) victory over Barry in the Sunshine State Conference
opener, Friday evening.
In the pivotal fifth set, Rollins found themselves down 15-14
before a ball handling error by the primary setter proved costly
for the Buccaneers, tying the match at 15.
A service ace from senior Stephanie Nichols preceded a Barry kill, but it
was attacks from Nichols and junior Nikki Hartman that sealed the Tars' win.
Securing its first victory at Barry (3-2, 0-1 SSC) since 2002,
Rollins (10-3, 1-0) used its stout defense to claim the victory.
Paving the way was freshman libero Phoebe Corder and her career-high 32 digs,
improving her digs per set to 5.60. Rollins also held the
Buccaneers to a .131 attacking percentage, .04 lower then the
season average.
The Tars did not escape without suffering an injury as sophomore
middle blocker and the team's leader in blocks, Jenny Sherwood went down in the middle of the
first set with a lower leg injury. Responding to the call,
freshman utility player Lora Lieb stepped in and provided immediate
relief. She finished the match with two solo blocks in key
situations.
Offensively, Hartman recorded her seventh double-double of the
season as she chipped in with a match-high 19 kills, tying her
season-high mark and ended the contest with 20 digs. Nichols
finished with 16 kills, second on the team.
The passing leader for the Tars was senior Lacey Malarky and her match-high 44 assists,
increasing her all-time assists record.
After cruising to a 25-18 victory in the first set, the Buccaneers
rebounded in the second set clinching the victory with a 25-21
decision.
The final three frames would prove exciting as the teams went to
extra points in every set. In the third stanza trailing 19-16, the
Tars cut the deficit to one by back-to-back scoring errors from
Barry. The Buccaneers would again extend its lead to three at
22-19 before two consecutive kills from Hartman and fellow junior
Natalie Branche. The Tars tied the match at 22
after another Buccaneers attacking error, but responded with
two-straight points. Down 24-22, Lieb made her mark, as she teamed
up with Caitlin Vyborny to stop an attack from the
Buccaneers' kill leader Camilla Pagnan. The Tars rode the momentum
claiming the next two points clinching the win.
With a 2-1 advantage in the match, the Tars held a 24-22, but
were unable to put the match away as the Buccaneers captured the
win scoring four out of the next five points.
Since 2000, Barry owns a 13-4 record against the Tars, but
Rollins now has won the previous two matches.
The Tars return to action, Saturday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. Live
broadcast of the match and live stats will be available at www.RollinsSports.com.
