FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2008) - The Nova Southeastern University volleyball team was dealt a 3-1 loss by Lynn University on senior day inside the University Center Arena by the scores of 25-20, 25-20, 16-25 and 25-22. The loss drops the Sharks record to 21-10 on the season and 9-6 in Sunshine State Conference play while Lynn improves to 23-12 overall and 8-6 in SSC play.
NSU stumbled out of the gates, hitting a match low .030 in the opening frame. Lynn outside hitter Camila Lins put the Fighting Knights on her shoulders, totaling nine kills and a .438 hitting percentage in the set. The Sharks were led by senior setter Valia Petrova (Sofia, Bulgaria), who had three consecutive service aces to get NSU back in the set and four overall.
Outside hitters Christina Chubb (Sr., Oakland Park, Fla.) and Jenerra McGruder (Jr., Euless, Tex.) each had three kills in the second set, but it wasnt enough as Lynn came away with the 25-20 victory. Senior middle Emily Carle (Missouri City, Tex.) and Petrova had two blocks apiece. The Sharks out-hit Lynn .241 to .172 in the set.
The Sharks recovered to win the third set, 25-16. Senior Melinda Gorman (Sarasota, Fla.) led the Sharks with five kills, four service aces and five digs in the set. NSU out-hit Lynn .161 to .133.
The Fighting Knights clinched the match with a 25-22 fourth set victory. McGruder and Gorman each added five more kills for NSU in the set, but the Sharks were out-hit .293 to .216. Chubb posted four more kills while Petrova tallied 13 assists and four digs.
For the match, Lynn out-hit NSU .226 to .167. The Fighting Knights were led by Lins and Daris Rodriguez with 19 and 16 kills, respectively.
NSU was led by Gorman with 14 kills. She was followed by Chubb with 11 and McGruder with 10. Petrova totaled 35 assists on the night to go along with three kills, five aces, 10 digs and three blocks. Gorman also had five aces and a team high 14 digs. Libero Kathleen Yony (So., Miami, Fla.) and defensive specialist Alison Kalish (Jr., Miami, Fla.) were also in double figures with 12 and 10 digs, respectively.
The match was the final home match of the careers of seniors Emily Carle, Christina Chubb, Valia Petrova, Andrea Irarrazabal (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and Melinda Gorman. The five players were honored in a ceremony before the match.
NSU will travel to Winter Park, Fla. to play the Rollins College Tars in their last regular season match of the regular season on Saturday, November 15th at 7 pm.
