MELBOURNE, Fla. (Volleyball) – Florida Tech volleyball (7-5, 2-3 SSC) was off to a strong start in 2015, winning seven of its first 10 matches, including two of its first three in a highly competitive Sunshine State Conference. However, after faltering in their last two contests against SSC foes Saint Leo and Eckerd, the Panthers are getting their first taste of adversity this heading into a week that could be the toughest of the season for the team.
Junior
Jenna Schaffer led FIT with 19 kills, eight digs and six total blocks against the Lions and Tritons. Seniors
Alea Hamm and
Marilyn Dick added 15 kills each and combined for 11 blocks. Fellow senior
Kim Juriga recorded 14 kills in addition to eight digs and four blocks, while
Ashtin Truesdale notched 63 assists to go along with her 19 digs, five kills and four blocks.
The Panthers struggled offensively against Saint Leo and Eckerd, registering an attack percentage of just .211 and 39 attack errors in the two matches. This has been an Achilles heel for FIT in all five of its defeats this season as the Panthers are averaging 23.6 attacking errors and converting just .177 percent of their attempts, as opposed to 13.14 errors and a.278 attack percentage in its victories.
Despite being winless in its first four road contests this season, FIT will have the chance to halt the skid on Tuesday in Lakeland, Florida. A tall task awaits the Panthers, in a meeting with Florida Southern (12-2, 3-2 SSC), the No. 14 team in the land and one of the top defensive squads in the country.
During its first 12 matches Florida Southern went undefeated and rose as high as No. 6 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II poll. Eight of the Mocs victories during that streak came in 3-0 sweeps, while the remaining were four-set wins. FSC currently leads the nation in opponent hitting percentage at .061.
The Mocs have hit some bumps in the road as of late, receiving its first two losses of the season against both of the Panthers' opponents this past weekend. The Mocs dropped a four setter on Friday at Eckerd before being swept by Saint Leo on Saturday.
In the two meetings between FIT and FSC during the 2014 season, the Mocs swept both contests, 3-0.
The Panthers' contest at FSC is set for 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the George W. Jenkins Field House. Fans can access live coverage for the match at FloridaTechSports.com.
