FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – After picking up their first Sunshine State Conference win over Florida Tech last weekend, the Nova Southeastern University volleyball team (4-12, 1-2 SSC) is looking forward to carrying that momentum into this week with a full slate of conference opponents when the Sharks face Barry, Eckerd and Tampa.
The Sharks returned to the friendly confines of the NSU Arena last weekend hosting Rollins and Florida Tech in conference play. Despite a weekend-opening loss to the Tars, NSU rebounded and dominated the Panthers for a much needed 3-0 victory. With a few minor adjustments in their rotation, the Sharks offense clicked on all cylinders. The win was also head coach Steve Wilcosky's 100th career win as a head coach.
Dana Holger (Fr., Lino Lakes, Minn.) erupted for the best match of her collegiate career posting 14 kills and a .414 hitting percentage. Fellow teammate
Sydney Cook (Miami, Fla.) followed with 12 kills and a career-best .360 percentage en route to the Sharks’ win.
The Sharks will continue to look toward senior
Jordan Pappas (Naperville, Ill.) this week after she dished out 36 assists against FIT and guided the team to a season-best .267 hitting percentage.
This week will start with a local rivalry between Barry and NSU on Tuesday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. in Miami Shores. The Sharks will hit the road to take on the 7-6 Buccaneers at the Health & Sports Center. Barry comes into the match with a 2-3 SSC record ranked just ahead of NSU in the league standings. They are led by top offensive threat Tania Torres who is averaging just over 3.0 kills per set.
On Friday, Oct. 5, NSU will return to the NSU Arena hosting Eckerd at 7 p.m. The Tritons are third in the SSC standings with a 3-1 conference record and are 9-6 overall this season. The meeting will welcome back first-year head coach Michelle Piantidosi, who served as the Sharks’ assistant coach for four seasons, which included the 2008 season when NSU advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. The Tritons have three players averaging over 3.0 kills per set in Ali McAlvany and Lindsey Biggs.
After Friday’s match against Eckerd, the Sharks will turn around the next day to host No. 5 Tampa on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. The highly touted Spartans are the only SSC team ranked in the AVCA Top-25 and come into the week with an 11-2 overall record and the only undefeated team in conference play at 4-0. Tampa starts the week out hitting their opponents .273 to .175. The Spartans are also led by hitter Danielle Selkridge who leads the conference with a .423 hitting percentage and is fourth in kills per set.
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