ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (November 9, 2021) - The Rollins Tars dropped their second consecutive Sunshine State Conference match, this time falling on the road against the Eckerd Tritons, 3-0. The loss moves the Tars' record to 7-20 (2-15 SSC) while Eckerd improves to 17-11 (8-9 SSC).
How it happened:
- The first set was all about the ace for Eckerd. Joelle Coulter started the match with one for Eckerd. After the two teams alternated points, including a pair of kills from Riley Spurlin, the Tritons took a lead at 4-3 and did not relinquish. Asya Harris and Krysten Garrison also dropped their serves in play to extend the Eckerd lead to 8-5. After a third kill from Spurlin and an attack error made the score 8-7, Eckerd went on a six-point run to blow the set open. Of the six points scored in a row, four of them came via Coulter service aces. The Tritons added three more aces before the set ended 25-17 in their favor. They totaled eleven service aces in the set. Rollins was actually incredibly efficient at the net when they had the chance to set their offense. The Tars struck for eleven kills at .400%, but it was not enough to overcome the Tritons.
- A Lana Gerard service ace gave Rollins the first point of the second set. Eckerd was quick to respond though, with four of the next five points going their way. Three Rollins errors, plus yet another Eckerd ace, then extended the lead to 8-4. Moments later, A pair of Gerard kills coupled with two errors from the Tritons made it a new game at ten apiece. Unfortunately for the Tars, eight of the next ten points went to Eckerd, putting the match out of reach. They would hang on, eventually winning 25-19. The Tars only managed eight kills in the second set compared to 14 for the Tritons.
- The third set was all Eckerd. Rollins stayed close for the first points, trailing 5-3, before the Tritons went on an extended scoring run that put the match out of reach. The highlight for Rollins came from senior Adriane Griffith who was able to drop in back-to-back serves for aces late in the set. It was too little, too late however, as Eckerd won 25-12.
Andie Baldridge led the Tars in kills with seven kills. Gerard had six kills plus her SSC-best 38th ace of the year.
Emma Begley was th eonly Tar with multiple blocks on the night, adding two solo efforts to her ledger.
Next up for Rollins is a road match with the Saint Leo Lions on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
