Melbourne, Florida – Florida Tech Volleyball was back at home tonight for another Sunshine State Conference battle. The Panthers took on Palm Beach Atlantic as they looked to move up in the South Region rankings.
MATCH SIXTEEN – SSC PLAY
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 3, (RV) Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 1
Set Recap: (14-
25), (
25-22), (
25-17), (
25-22)
Records: Florida Tech (14-10, 9-7 SSC)
| (RV) Palm Beach Atlantic (20-7, 10-6 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center
| Melbourne, Florida
MATCH NOTES:
First Set: Florida Tech 14, Palm Beach Atlantic 25
- Tonight's contest did not start the way the Panthers wanted with PBA jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead.
- Tech got on the board with kills from Isabelle Clark and Elisa Broggio but the Sailfish continued their early run and led 10-2.
- After both teams traded points, PBA used another big run to take full control of the set.
- Cordelia Kearns, Ayisha Missipo and Clark all earned kills but it was too little too late as PBA went on to take the first set.
Second Set: Florida Tech 25, Palm Beach Atlantic 22
- Needing a big response after the first set, Tech opened the second set with kills from Devyn Glassgold and Isabelle Clark and took their first lead of the contest 7-6.
- Both sides traded points until the Panthers exploded for a huge 7-0 run with Cordelia Kearns earning a kill and back-to-back service aces.
- Leading 13-11, Tech went on another unanswered run with kills from Elisa Broggio, Clark and Kearns plus a block from Scarlett Kimbrell.
- This sequence not only gave Tech an 18-11 lead, but it swung the momentum thoroughly to the Panthers.
- While PBA battled back into the set and even tied the scoreline at 22-22, three straight kills form Glassgold and Kearns (2x) sealed the set for the Panthers as they tied the match up at 1-1.
Third Set: Florida Tech 25, Palm Beach Atlantic 17
- Continuing their run form the end of set two, the Panthers opend the third set with a 3-0 lead with a huge block from Scarlett Kimbrell and Elisa Broggio.
- After PBA got on the board, Tech again used a big time run, this one being six unanswered points, to take control early in the third set.
- Three straight kills form Cordelia Kearns sparked this run and after the Sailfish answered back, Tech she earned two more kills as the Panthers went on a 5-1 run to lead 16-8.
- Tech got kills from Devyn Glassgold, Isabelle, Clark, Broggio and Kearns to push the lead to double digits at 21-11.
- PBA attempted a comeback, but the swings from the Panthers were too much for them to handle as Tech went on to win the set in dominant fashion.
Fourth Set: Florida Tech 25, Palm Beach Atlantic 22
- Only needing one more set to win the match, Tech knew PBA was going to come out swinging. Both teams traded kills to open the fourth set.
- With the scoreline knotted at 4-4, Tech used a small 3-0 run with kills from Devyn Glassgold and Scarlett Kimbrell.
- PBA answered, but a Kenzie Delacher service ace sparked another run for the Panthers.
- A 5-0 run from the Sailfish kept them alive, but kills from Cordelia Kearns and Ayisha Missipo, plus back-to-back blocks from Missipo and Isabelle Clark, kept Tech out in front.
- Leading 21-19, the Panthers got kills from Kearns and Missipo to stay two points ahead and a service ace from Isabelle Clark sealed the win.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- With the win tonight, the Panthers are now 4-1 in their last five games as they push for an NCAA South Region bid.
- Florida Tech improves to 6-3 at home, playing in front of the best crowd in the SSC.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will be back in the Clemente Center for the final time this season as they celebrate Senior Day tomorrow. Tech will face Nova Southeastern at 4:00 PM on Saturday, with Senior Day starting at 3:55 PM.
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.
