BOX SCORE
WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern volleyball team (4-23, 1-10 SSC) played the Rollins Tars (15-13, 6-6 SSC) close Saturday, but ultimately fell in straight sets, 3-0.
The Sharks faced adversity on the road and stood toe-to-toe in front of the Tars crowd. In two of three sets, the Sharks fought Rollins to a two-point finish. The Sharks were also within a point of Rollins in the second half of every set.
Caitlin Donahue (Fr., Miami, Fla.) led the way for NSU with a team-best 12 kills 23 attacks, good for an attack percentage of .304. She also recorded three digs.
Kristina Eric (Jr., Sokolac, Bosnia Herzegovina) led the squad in assists with 32 assists and
Kelly McMahon (Sr., Madison, Wis.) earned a team-high nine digs.
In the opening set, the Sharks fell into a five-point hole early and struggled to tie the match. Playing from behind nearly the entire set, the Sharks made a run, down 20-15. The Sharks took eight of the next 12 points to bring them to a 24-23 deficit. However, Rollins erased the Sharks surge and earned a kill to take the first set.
The result of the second set was the widest of the three, but it was closest contested set of the day. The two teams traded the lead numerous times, but neither team could pull away by more than a few points until late. The Sharks would lead by as much as four points, at 13-9. Later on, with the Sharks up 15-12, Rollins went on a run and won nine of the next 11 points to take a four point lead of their own. The Sharks never recovered, giving up four of the next six points to fall into a 2-0 hole.
Rollins looked strong out of the gate in the third set and took the first four points. The home team stretched their lead to eight points, at 20-12. The Tars looked as if they were going to cruise to victory and eventually faced a set point, at 24-18. With their backs against the wall, NSU won five-straight points to bring them within a point. NSU was unable to tie, as Rollins earned their final kill of the night to seal the win.
The Sharks will return to the NSU Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 6 to face Barry at 7 p.m.
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