GAME 1 BOX - GAME 2 BOX
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University volleyball team (1-1) started the sixth annual Shark Classic tournament on Friday at the NSU Arena at the Don Taft University Center by splitting a pair of tournament matches. The Sharks opened with a 3-0 win over Merrimack (0-2), but closed out the day with a 3-1 loss to Texas A&M International (1-1). Since opening the facility in 2006, NSU is serving host to the Shark Classic for the sixth time in seven years.
In the two matches, senior
Danielle Graham (Cincinnati, Ohio) accumulated 27 kills, 14 digs and seven blocks to lead NSU. Freshman
Dana Holger (Lino Lakes, Minn.) opened her collegiate career with 22 kills spread over seven sets, while
Paige Boivin (Sr., Plainfield, Ill.) covered the floor defensively collecting 28 digs.
The Sharks started the tournament with a solid three-set win over the visiting Merrimack Warriors. NSU blazed out to a 25-9 win of the first set after posting 11 total kills on 21 attempts for a .429 team hitting percentage. The Sharks then took advantage of eight Warrior errors for a 25-21 win in the second before taking the final set 25-19 on 15 kills.
In her collegiate debut, Holger led the Shark attack with a team-high 11 kills, while Graham followed with 10 and three blocks. The Warriors' Stephanie Sheehan was their top offensive producer with eight kills.
It was a different tale for NSU in the nightcap. Finding themselves down early after the first set to the Texas A&M Int’l Dust Devils, the Sharks eventually dropped the first match of the season by a score of 3-1. After falling 25-21 in the opening frame, NSU charged back in the second winning 25-17 to tie the match with a set apiece. However, Texas A&M Int’l rallied back taking the final two sets 25-20 and 25-12 to win the match.
Out of the loss, Graham emerged as NSU’s top offensive threat finishing with 16 kills, 13 digs and four total blocks. Holger, maintaining her morning pace, added another 11 kills while Boivin reeled in a match-high 20 digs. Andrea Marshall led Texas A&M Int’l with a team-high 11 kills.
The Sharks will return to action on the final day of the two-day Shark Classic facing another round of stiff competition at the NSU Arena. At 11 a.m., NSU will face Wayne State, who went 1-1 on the first day, and will close out the tournament against highly touted Wheeling Jesuit (2-0) at 3 p.m.
For the latest NSU news and results, be sure to visit
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clicking here. For the latest news, be sure to sign up for the Shark Alert E-newsletter by
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