MESA, Ariz. – The Embry-Riddle
volleyball team bounced back after dropping the opening set and captured three straight sets to defeat Park-Gilbert (AZ), 3-1 (20-25, 28-26, 25-19, 25-21), on Saturday afternoon at AZ Athletic Grounds. The victory improves the Eagles to 10-7 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
After falling behind early with a first-set loss, Embry-Riddle responded in dramatic fashion in the second frame. The Eagles outlasted Park-Gilbert in a tightly contested set featuring eight tie scores before pulling out a pivotal 28-26 victory to even the match. Embry-Riddle carried that momentum into the final two sets, controlling play down the stretch to secure the four-set road win.
The Eagles were led offensively by Anela Chew, who recorded a match-high 14 kills while hitting .278. Ronni Lyons and Brooke Eglinton each added 11 kills, giving Embry-Riddle three players in double figures. Maya Dominguez provided a spark off the bench with four kills on a .286 hitting percentage.
Running the offense was setter Alice Tuci, who dished out 39 assists and chipped in a service ace while helping the Eagles tally 52 team kills.
Defensively, Embry-Riddle was anchored by libero Sydney Sniffen, who collected a team-high 15 digs. Brooke Eglinton added nine digs, while Tuci contributed eight. At the net, Haeden Baker was a force, posting six total blocks, including three solo stuffs. Hannah Clear and Eglinton each added three blocks as the Eagles finished with 15 total team blocks.
Embry-Riddle's serving pressure also helped swing momentum, as the Eagles registered six service aces led by two from Sniffen. Lyons, Eglinton, Tuci, and'Ale'a Cabral each contributed an ace in the victory.
Despite being outhit in total kills (55-52), the Eagles made timely plays in key moments, particularly after the first set. Embry-Riddle held Park-Gilbert to a negative hitting percentage in the fourth set and closed out the match with a 25-21 victory to complete the comeback.
