Box Score ORLANDO, FLA. – Florida Tech volleyball opened their weekend at the 2023 SSC vs. GSC South Region Crossover on Friday afternoon with a straight-set victory over Shorter at the Game Point Events Center.

FINAL: Florida Tech 3, Shorter 0
Records: Florida Tech (7-13, 2-9 SSC) Shorter (4-15, 1-9 GSC)
Locations: Game Point Events Center | Orlando, Fla.


STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Set:

• Tech took six of the game's first nine points thanks in part to a pair of kills from Cordelia Kearns.
• The Hawks would take ten of the next 14 points to earn a 13-10 lead with consecutive kills from Victoria Sparks helping extend the lead.
• The Panthers would turn the set on its head with an 8-2 scoring run that would give them an 18-15 edge as back-to-back aces from Courtney Capar capped the run.
• After Shorter closed the margin back to two, the Crimson and Gray would use a 7-1 run to close the set. Chiara Patelli recorded two of the Panthers' final three points in the set.

 
 
Second Set:

• That momentum would allow Florida Tech to sprint out to a 9-3 lead to start the second frame, this time thanks to four Kearns kills.
• Shorter would then run off five of the next eight points, led by Laila Bernardino's trio of kills.
• Tech would give themselves considerable cushion by immediately going on a 7-1 scoring run, helped by two aces from Kenzie and another from Kari Voelstad Bogen.
• The Hawks did not fold under the pressure, as they would return the favor with a 10-2 run to bring the margin to 21-19. Key to the surge were Caroline Sivills, who posted four kills, and Mia Alexander, who recorded two aces.
• The remainder of the set would remain tight with the Hawks twice shrinking the Panther lead to one. Ultimately, the Panthers would emerge on top thanks to Antia Vallecas Rodriguez  earning the decisive two kills.

 
Third Set:

• The Crimson and Gray once again flew out of the blocks to start the set, this time opening the third with an 8-3 blitz that was ignited by a pair of kills from Kearns and Lexi Lueger, as well as Capar's third ace of the day.
• Shorter continued to display their fight by reeling off five of the next seven points thanks to another three kills by Sparks.
• With the lead shrunk to 10-8, Florida Tech answered with a 7-3 run to extend their lead to six.
• The Hawks countered with a 4-0 spurt of their own to bring the margin back to within two.
• Tech responded with five quick unanswered points which saw Kearns record a kill and ace while aided by three Hawk errors.
• A pair of kills from Laura Grace Crews and an error would bring Shorter back within four.
• The Panthers would see the game out from there, recording three of the final four points with Danelli Mejia earning the kill that secured the victory.

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Cordelia Kearns led Tech in points and kills with 16.5 points, 15 kills, a service ace and a block assist, finishing with a .355 hitting percentage.
• Chiara Patelli provided her usual efficiency, adding six kills on 10 attempts for a .600 hitting percentage
• Kenzie Delacher returned to the lineup with 21 digs, three digs and two service aces.
• Kari Voelstad Bogen provide 22 digs, three assists and two service aces.
• Courtney Capar added eight digs and three service aces.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This was the first ever meeting between the Panthers and Hawks.
• Tech's team hit percentage of .298 was their highest of the season.
• Kearns' kill tally for the season now sits at 213, becoming the first Panther freshman to surpass 200 kills since Olivia Hersey in 2015. Her 15 kills matched the season-high she put up last Friday at Nova Southeastern and also marked her 14^th game with double-digit kills this season.
• Voelstad Bogen's 12 digs bring her career total to 700, the first Panther to do so since Erin Arbour in 2021.

 
 
UP NEXT: Florida Tech will return to action at the Crossover tomorrow at 4:45 P.M., when they will face Union.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech volleyball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.