Melbourne, Florida – The Panthers returned home tonight following a five-game road trip. Tech hosted Florida Southern in a battle of two teams in the middle of the Sunshine State Conference volleyball standings. This match was also the second rendition of "Aloha Friday" for the Panthers in the year, and despite the island vibes, Tech came to play.
MATCH TEN – SSC PLAY
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 3, Florida Southern Mocs 1
Set Recap: (17-
25) (
25-22), (
25-17), (
25-17)
Records: Florida Tech (10-8, 5-5 SSC)
| Florida Southern (10-8, 4-6 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center
| Melbourne, Florida
MATCH NOTES:
First Set: Florida Tech 17, Florida Southern 25
- Tonight's match began with both sides going back and forth.
- With the score tied at 4-4, Southern opened up the match's first lead of the match with a 6-1 run.
- Following a timeout to slow the Mocs momentum, the Panthers went on their own run to pull themselves back into the set with big kills from Ashley Rants and Cordelia Kearns.
- After tying the set at 10, the Mocs jumped out in front again until a big time block from Isabelle Clark and a kill from Kearns re-tied the set up at 14.
- Unfortunately for the Panthers, Southern regained their multi-point lead and pushed it out to four points at 21-17.
- Even with kills from Devyn Glassgold and Cordelia Kearns plus a block from Hadley Waldren, Tech was unable to get back in the first set.
Second Set: Florida Tech 25, Florida Southern 22
- Tech started the second set with three straight points before the Mocs came back to tie the scoreline at 4-4.
- Both sides again traded points until the Panthers went on another run to take full control of the set.
- With the set tied at 9-9, Tech used a 9-2 run to take an 18-11 lead, led by Devyn Glassgold and Maiella Riva.
- Southern did attempt a comeback but kills from Cordelia Kearns, Hadley Waldren and Cordelia Kearns helped Tech secure the set win.
Third Set: Florida Tech 25, Florida Southern 17
- Building off the dominant set win, the Panthers continued to roll in the third set.
- Kills from Maiella Riva and Devyn Glassgold, with points from Hadley Waldren (block and kill), gave Tech an early 8-3 lead.
- Much like the earlier two sets, neither side was able to hold early leads as the Mocs stormed back in the third set to eventually tie it at 11-11.
- In response to the Moc run, the Panthers went on one of their own to retake a multi-point lead.
- Kills from Cordelia Kearns and Elisa Broggio gave Tech a 14-11 lead before stretching it out to 17-12 thanks to multiple Mocs errors.
- A huge block from Hadley Waldren propelled the Panthers into the twenty point range as they looked to close out the third set.
- Kills from Maiella Riva and Isabelle Clark, along with great defense from the back row, secured the third set for Tech as they took a 2-1 lead in the match.
Fourth Set: Florida Tech 25, Florida Southern 17
- Southern opened the fourth set with a quick 4-1 but the Panthers came right back with a response.
- A Hadley Waldren kill, followed by three service aces from Elisa Broggio sent Tech on a 5-0 run to take the lead 6-4.
- Both teams battled back and forth, leading to a deadlock at 11-11.
- Isabelle Clark broke the tie with a huge kill from the middle and the Panthers went on another run.
- Kills from Clark and Elisa Broggio aided a 7-1 Panther run as they took control of the set.
- Tech continued to roll and led 20-13 with the match win in sight.
- More kills from Hadley Waldren and Isabelle Clark shot down any chance of Moc comeback as the Panthers won the match.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Maiella Riva set a new Panther career high with 4 kills.
- Florida Tech has now won three straight matches against the Mocs dating back to last season.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will be back at home tomorrow afternoon for a matchup with the No. 1 team in the country, Tampa. Tech will take on the Spartans at 4 PM in the Clemente Center. This match will also serve as the team's "Camp Day", with campers from this past summer getting into the match for free by wearing the 2025 Summer Camp shirt.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech Volleyball, 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.
