DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Tech volleyball team fought hard in a five-set thriller but fell short in a 3-2 loss to Embry-Riddle.
 
MATCH ONE
FINAL: Florida Tech 2, Embry-Riddle 3 (15-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-25, 15-17) 
Records: Florida Tech (7-4, 1-1 SSC) Embry-Riddle (8-2, 1-0 SSC)
Locations: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:
First Set:

• It was a tough start to the first set as Embry-Riddle began it on a 6-1 run.
• The Panthers fought back with three straight points to bring the score to 6-4.
• Unfortunately, the Eagles went on a five-point unanswered stretch that about sealed the first set.

Second Set:

• Tech quickly turned it around the next set, starting 8-5 early. Cordelia grabbed a kill and two service aces during that span.
• Later in the set, the Panthers capitalized on the Eagles' mistakes for five straight points, taking a 15-11 lead.
• However, Embry-Riddle dug out of their whole by the game at 19 apiece with a 6-0 run. Eventually, the Eagles took the 22-20 lead.
• The Panthers pulled it together, letting up just one point the rest of the way for a 5-1 stretch to take the second 25-23. Four different Panthers scored to wrap up the second set.

Third Set:

• The Panthers' momentum carried over as Kearns and Irene Kitson helped Florida Tech lead 4-2 early.
• Five different Panthers scored in the middle of the set, pushing a 7-2 run, which led to a 12-7 Tech lead.
• Embry-Riddle did not stop swinging, going on a 5-1 stretch themselves, mainly due to Tech's errors.
• The Crimson and Gray responded, earning six consecutive points to regain the 19-12 lead. Kearns added two more kills to her total.
•  Tech shut the door on the set with the final three points by Antia Vallecas Rodriguez and Kearns recording kills

Fourth Set:

• The fourth set appeared to be a repeat of the first set. Embry-Riddle got off on the right foot, going up 4-1.
• A Kearns kill and an attack error from the Eagles tied the set at five apiece.
• Embry-Riddle overpowered Florida Tech with an 8-3 run, making the score 14-8. The Eagles kept rolling through the set by tacking on a four-point run right after the 8-3 run.
• The Panthers earned some points via errors but could not bridge the gap, forcing a fifth and final set.

Fifth Set:

• When the game was tied 3-3, the Panthers scored six of the following eight points.
• After a wise timeout from the Eagles, the team tallied five straight for a 13-11 lead.
• Florida Tech attempted to flip the momentum, but the Eagles found a way to win.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Cordelia Kearns led with 19 kills and 17 digs. Kearns has tallied 10 or more kills in every game this season.
• Lilian Muszynski  and Anti Vallecas Rodriguez both recorded nine kills. Muszynski also tacked on five blocks to her name.
• Jeanne Hassoun and Kenzie Delacher helped the team with 23 assists each.

 BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech moved to 16-18 all-time against Embry-Riddle.
• Kearns amassed over 500 kills in her career, becoming the fastest Panther to do so in the last decade.

UP NEXT:
The Panthers have a quick turnaround, traveling to Fort Lauderdale for a conference match at Nova Southeastern on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

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.