PUEBLO, Colo. (September 4, 2021) – After a long day that consisted of two matches and a total of nine sets, the Rollins Tars will head back to Florida with an overall record of 3-1 following their wins on Saturday against Minnesota Crookston (0-3) and Chadron State (3-1).
Game One
Rollins 3, Minnesota Crookston 1
- Rollins won the battle at the net in set number one, collecting 13 kills against only seven for the Golden Eagles. Both teams recorded seven attack errors, and also had 30 chances a piece. Aside from being more efficient on the attack, Rollins also secured three points via service ace, including the set winner from Charlie Durbin to give the Tars a 25-20 win.
- Crookston was able to get on the board in the second set, which was incredibly tight throughout. After the Golden Eagles sprung to a 13-8 lead, the Tars came roaring back with a 11-3 run to make the score 19-16. The two teams then tied at 20, 21, and 22 before Crookston was able to score the final three points of the set and win 25-23. The set featured nine ties and five lead changes.
- Freshman Lana Gerard set the tone early in the third set from behind the serving line. With the score tied 1-1 early on, the first-year outside hitter from St. Louis flummoxed the Golden Eagles with four consecutive service aces. Rollins would not relinquish their early lead, and held on for the win. They once again won the battle up front, 13 kills to 10, led by Riley Spurlin's six.
- The Tars clinched their second win of the weekend with a 25-21 win in the fourth. It was their most efficient game from an attacking standpoint as they totaled a game-high 16 kills at a .324 clip. Sophomore Emily Diaz led the charge with seven kills in the final frame.
- Diaz was the top scorer in the first match, racking up 16 kills to go with three service aces and a pair of blocks. Spurlin chipped in 14 kills at an efficient .300%, and Rebecca Kuehn dished out 38 assists.
Game Two
Rollins 3, Chadron State2
- The Eagles and Tars matched up well in the final game of the Steel City Showcase. The first set was a tight one, with neither team holding a lead of more than five. With Chadron State holding a 23-18 advantage, a timeout from head coach Mika Robinson got the Tars back on track as they scored four straight points to pull within one. However, a pair of kills from Amelia Berg put the first set out of reach and gave Chadron State the 25-22 win.
- Set two was not the prettiest, but Rollins was able to grind out a 25-21 win. The Tars forced the Eagles into seven attack errors, and also took advantage of two ballhandling miscues and two service errors. Riley Spurlin led the Tars attack with three kills.
- Chadron State took a commanding lead in the middle of the third set thanks to four Rollins errors, turning a close 11-10 game into 17-11 advantage. The Tars failed to find any sort of rhythm in this one, and ultimately lost 25-18.
- With their backs against the wall, Rollins put together one of their top efforts of the young season in the fourth frame. The Tars posted 12 kills, three aces, and four blocks and were helped by four service errors from Chadron State to win the fourth set by a score of 25-22.
- With momentum on their side, Rollins dominated the final frame. Riley Spurlin delivered three kills on the first four serves of the set, giving the Tars a lead they would not relinquish. Charlie Durbin notched a pair of service aces, and the Eagles gifted the Tars five unforced attack errors that led to an easy 15-8 match-clinching win.
- Spurlin was the team leader in kills with 18, while the Tars had nine different players record at least one kill. Rebecca Kuehn played well, totaling 33 assists and 14 digs.
The Tars will play at home for the first time next week as they host the Rollins Invitational. Seven total teams will descend on the Alfond Sports Center in Winter Park, playing four games each over the weekend. The Tars will see Georgia College at 3:00 pm and Anderson University at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 10.
