Embry-Riddle Takes Down Tars

WINTER PARK, Fla. (October 12, 2021) - The Rollins Tars, playing their third home game in five days, could not muster enough points to take down the second-place Embry-Riddles Eagles. The loss drops Rollins to 3-13 (0-9 SSC) while Embry-Riddle improves to 15-2 (7-2 SSC).

How it Happened:

• Rollins claimed the first point of the match on an Andie Baldridge service ace, but things took a quick change for the worse as Embry-Riddle rattled off seven straight points to take a commanding lead. After growing the advantage to double digits, Rollins called timeout and Came back strong, winning seven of the next ten. The early edge for the Eagles would prove to be too much however as they took set one by a score of 25-16. Rollins held ERAU to a .133 attack percentage, but struggled to score against one of the best front lines in the SSC. 
• Set two started tight with kills from Riley Spurlin and Baldridge helping tie the score at five all. After a Rollins attack error gave a point and the ball back to Embry-Riddle, the Eagles struck for seven of the next eight points to build another big lead. Amelia Hartnett and Cameron Gilleland each recorded multiple kills early on to aid the Eagles. A four-point run from the Tars, highlighted by three kills from Lana Gerard, pulled Rollins within five at 23-18, but ERAU would eventually close out the set, winning 25-19. 
• For third time, Rollins notched the first point of the match, but saw the small advantage evaporate quickly. Again, the set stayed close for the first few points, but Embry-Riddle's balanced attack proved to be too much for the Tars. The Eagles landed four aces in the set, and also took advantage of seven Rollins attack errors to secure the match at 25-17.     

Lana Gerard tallied ten kills to go with a service ace and six digs. Rebecca Kuehn, playing in her first match in almost two weeks, led the Tars with 16 assists. Alexis Yeager had a solid two-way performance with four kills and three blocks. 

Next up for the Tars is another home match on Friday, this time against the Florida Southern Mocs. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The match will be the annual Dig Pink game, in partnership with the Sideout Foundation. Fans who attend are encouraged to wear pink in support of those battling with breast cancer. The Tars will be wearing custom pink jerseys that will be auctioned off after the match. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to help fund Stage IV cancer research.