PRESCOTT, Ariz. - The Embry-Riddle volleyball team battled back after dropping the second and third sets to earn a hard-fought 3-2 conference victory over Park-Gilbert Friday evening in Prescott. The Eagles claimed the match by scores of 25-13, 16-25, 19-25, 25-16, and 15-8.
Embry-Riddle came out strong, hitting .484 in the opening set while limiting Park-Gilbert to a .000 attacking percentage to take an early 1-0 lead. After the Buccaneers responded with wins in sets two and three, the Eagles regained momentum in the fourth frame, using a balanced attack and steady defense to force a decisive fifth set. Embry-Riddle then closed the match in dominant fashion, holding Park-Gilbert to a negative hitting percentage in the final set en route to the seven-point victory.
Leading the Eagles offensively was Abbylynn Farrell, who recorded a match-high 18 kills while hitting .382. She added a block assist and 18.5 points in the winning effort. Anela Chew also turned in a strong performance with 14 kills and 18 digs for a double-double, while Brooke Eglinton contributed nine kills and 17 digs.
The Eagles' offense was directed by a two-setter system that featured Annette Tapia with 25 assists and Alice Tuci with 24 assists. Tuci also made an impact at the net with three block assists while adding four kills on a team-best .571 hitting percentage.
Defensively, Embry-Riddle was led by libero Sydney Sniffen, who collected a match-high 21 digs. Chew added 18 digs and Eglinton chipped in 17 as the Eagles totaled 76 digs as a team. At the net, Hannah Clear played a key role with six kills and a team-high seven total blocks (two solo, five assisted).
As a team, the Eagles out-hit Park-Gilbert .185 to .073 and finished with 59 kills compared to the Buccaneers' 43. Embry-Riddle also held advantages in assists (59-39), digs (76-55), and blocks (13-7).
