Embry-Riddle showed grit and determination on the road Friday evening but ultimately fell in straight sets to GSAC powerhouse Arizona Christian at the Firestorm Rec Center. The Eagles dropped the match 22-25, 23-25, 16-25.

Despite the 3-0 final score, the Eagles kept the pressure on throughout the first two sets, pushing the Firestorm to the brink with 14 tie scores and 9 lead changes in the opening frame alone. The second set was equally competitive, featuring 7 ties and 5 lead changes, as Embry-Riddle nearly forced a fourth set.

Senior Emma Barber led the offensive charge for the Eagles, tallying 14 kills on 38 attempts and contributing 12 digs for a strong two-way performance. Anela Chew added 8 kills and 3 block assists, while Haeden Baker chipped in with 4 kills and 3 block assists.

Setter Alice Tuci orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 23 assists and hitting an impressive .429 with 3 kills on 7 attempts. Libero Alexis Creager anchored the back row with a team-high 18 digs and added a service ace.

Embry-Riddle posted a .133 hitting percentage overall, with their best offensive set coming in the second (.184). The team recorded 40 kills, 53 digs, and 12 block assists in the match.

Arizona Christian, currently second in the GSAC standings, hit .259 as a team and was led by Zuri Reeser (12 kills) and Ryan Coughlin (11 kills, 10 digs). The Firestorm's balanced attack and timely defense proved decisive in the third set, where they pulled away to seal the win.

Embry-Riddle will return home for the final two games in the regular season with the first on Friday at 6pm against The Master's University.