SAINT PETERSBURG, FLA.- Florida Tech showed dominance in their season opener with a 3-0 sweep of the West Liberty Hilltoppers but showed struggles in a tough battle against Tiffin. The Panthers erased a 2-0 deficit against the Dragons, forcing a five-set match.
 
GAME ONE: 
 
Final: Florida Tech 3, West Liberty 0
Records: Florida Tech (1-0), West Liberty (0-1)
 
STATS OF THE MATCH: 

• The Panthers were locked in an offensive battle early in set one, tied at four within the first eight serves.
• West Liberty was forced to take their first timeout of the set thanks to a kill by Devyn Glassgold, which extended the Panthers' lead 16-12. 
• Florida Tech responded by applying pressure and outscoring the Hilltoppers 9-4 to take the first set 25-16.
• The Panthers took set two 25-23 after trading points with the Hilltoppers throughout the set, as two was the largest lead on either side of the court.
• Tech secured the sweep after a hot 6-0 start in set three, thanks to back-to-back aces by Victoria Bowrosen.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Bowrosen led the Panthers with 10 kills and three aces in her Florida Tech debut.
• Kenzie Delacher recorded 35 assists in the Panther sweep.
• Florida Tech's 3-0 victory over the Hilltoppers marks the first season opener win since 2017.

GAME TWO:
 
Final: Florida Tech 2, Tiffin 3
Records: Florida Tech (1-1), Tiffin (2-0)
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:

• The Dragons came out strong going on a 7-1 run early in set one.
• The Panthers battled their way back earning their first lead of the set 14-13 with a kill by Kenzie Delacher
• The Dragons would later take set one 25-22 despite Florida Tech's best effort.
• The struggling Panthers dropped set two 26-24 despite overcoming an early deficit.
• Tech had a dominating start to set three going on a 6-0 run.
• Lexi Lueger's late kill secured set three victory for the Panthers 25-12.
• The Panthers took set four 25-20 after a hard-fought battle against the Dragons. 
• Florida Tech fell to Tiffin after failing to erase a 10-4 deficit in set five, losing the set 15-10.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE 

• Bowrosen led the Panthers in kills with 13 for her second dominating performance of the day
• Kari Bogen led Florida Tech's defense with 19 digs.
• Delacher recorded 74 assists in her first two appearances as a Panther.

UP NEXT:
 
The Panthers will finish their appearances in the Eckerd Invitational tomorrow where they will take on Wilmington at 9:30 AM and Eckerd at 2:30 PM. 

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