ORLANDO, FLA. – Florida Tech volleyball wrapped up their weekend at the 2023 SSC vs. GSC South Region Crossover on Saturday afternoon with a straight-set victory over Union at the Game Point Events Center, notching their third straight win in the process.

FINAL: Florida Tech 3, Union 0
Records: Florida Tech (8-13, 2-9 SSC) Union (3-20, 2-7 GSC)
Locations: Game Point Events Center | Orlando, Fla.


STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Set:

• The two teams traded the game's first eight points before the Lady Bulldogs earned the game's first multi-point lead at 6-4.
• The Panthers responded with a 5-0 run powered by two kills from Antia Vallecas Rodriguez and a Courtney Capar service ace.
• A pair of errors and an ace from Reese Owens would draw Union level at 9 before Tech answered with five consecutive points thanks to two more kills from Vallecas Rodriguez and an ace courtesy of Kari Voelstad Bogen.
• Three consecutive points for the Lady Bulldogs, two from kills by Marie Torosian, would bring the margin to 14-12.
• The Crimson and Gray would keep Union at arm's length from there, reeling off eight of the next ten points with a pair of aces from Chiara Patelli leading the way.
• After the Lady Bulldogs fired back with a 4-0 run, Florida Tech would close the set strong by tallying the three points they needed to take the frame with a Lilian Muszynski kill closing it out.

 
 
Second Set:

• Much like they did on Friday, the Panthers flew out of the blocks to give themselves the advantage, taking 11 of the set's first 12 points thanks to four kills and an ace from Vallecas Rodriguez.
• Patelli added to the onslaught as she added three aces to stretch the lead to 16-2.
• Union would present quite the fight as what looked like an inevitability was met with some doubt thanks to their 14-4 run that would eventually bring the margin to 20-16.
• Florida Tech's early dominance ultimately proved too much to overcome as they would register five of the set's final six points with two Patelli kills and three Lady Bulldogs giving the Panthers a two-set advantage.

 
 
Third Set:

• Neither team could establish much control for the majority of the set with the largest lead for either team over the first 36 points being two.
• Leading 18-17, a 3-0 spurt by Union would give them some breathing room for the moment with kills from Sydney Whittaker and Owens along with a Hannah Hampel ace accounting for the scoring.
• The Crimson and Gray replied with a 5-0 run of their own courtesy of kills Maria Jesus Munoz, Cordelia Kearns and Muszynski in addition to two Lady Bulldog errors.
• The set would return to its back-and-forth action from there as Union would draw even at 24 after trailing by two and facing match point.
• The Panthers and Lady Bulldogs couldn't put the other away over the next five points into the tiebreaker when a pair of Union errors and a Vallecas Rodriguez kill gave Florida Tech their eighth victory of the season.

 
 
 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Vallecas Rodriguez led the Panthers in kills with 12 in addition to 14.5 points, four digs, three block assists and a service ace.
• Patelli was efficient once again, providing seven kills on 12 attempts for a .583 hitting percentage. Patelli also added a season-high five service aces. The graduate student ultimately contributed 14.5 points.
• Jeanne Hassoun contributed 17 assists and five digs.
• Voelstad Bogen reached double-figures in digs for the second consecutive game and the ninth time this season with a team-leading 10.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Panthers now lead the all-time series 4-1 and are 3-0 against the Lady Bulldogs at the SSC vs. GSC South Region Crossover (October 14, 2017 and October 18, 2014).
• Florida Tech is now 22-4 since 2014 at the SSC vs. GSC South Region Crossover.
• For the second consecutive game, Florida Tech posted their highest hitting percentage of the season with a new high of .330.
• Their total of nine service aces was the third-highest of the season and Tech for the Crossover recorded 17 aces over two games.
• Courtney Capar recorded her 400^th career dig in the first set.
• Devyn Glassgold tallied her 100^th career total block during the second set.

 
 
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will return to Sunshine State Conference play at home next Friday, October 27th at 7 P.M. against Saint Leo for the third Aloha Friday of the season.

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.