FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern volleyball team returns to the road this weekend to continue Sunshine State Conference competition, against Saint Leo on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. and Florida Southern on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m.
The Sharks earned the program's best start since Sept. 26, 2007 after defeating Florida Tech, 3-0, last weekend.
Despite a 3-1 loss against Lynn the following day, the Sharks now lead the conference in blocks with 42.5.
Sydney Cook (Jr., Miami) and
Caitlin Donahue (Jr., Miami), are both tied in second place in blocks with 16 solo blocks, averaging one block per set.
Saint LeoThe Lions return to the court after falling to No. 23 Palm Beach Atlantic University, 3-0, on Tuesday. Senior Yaidimar Santaigo led the defense with 23 digs in the match, with Hope Lemon and Lauren Campbell each dropping 10 kills and a pair of aces. The Lions' Alexa Griffith is fourth in the SSC with 58 kills (averaging 4.41 per set) with Rachel Olliff ranked fourth in SSC digs with 151 (8.88 per set) and second in serving aces with 10 (0.59 per set).
On the Lions, head coach Jenn King states, "Saint Leo brings us back to competing against a 6-2, so there is some comfort in that for us. We're used to seeing it and competing against it. They are a strong team who plays with a lot of emotion, but if we can play our system clean I think it will be a great matchup."
Saint Leo leads the all-time record, 23-18. In the team's last competition, the Sharks were swept by the Lions, 3-0, in their last road match of last season. Cook led the Sharks with 10 kills, with four from
Dana Holger (Jr., Lino Lakes, Minn.). Holger paced the match with nine digs as
Katie Pyles (So., Denver) added 22 assists in the loss.
Florida SouthernOn Saturday, the Mocs fell to top-ranked Tampa in four sets, 3-1. Florida Southern battled in the match, outblocking the Spartans with four total team blocks in their 25-15 second set win. Kate Stromberg posted a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs, closely followed by Rachel Mostert and Brindl Langly, who each notched 10 kills. Senior Libero Catherine Bruise was named the SSC volleyball Defensive Player of the Week of Sept. 22-28 after recording 18 digs in the loss.
King states, "Florida Southern is a big, strong team that is extremely well-trained. They scheme their opposition's offense and are usually spot on. We have to be prepared for that to happen and make sure we are ready to adjust when needed. It is always fun to play high-IQ volleyball, and that's what's waiting for us on Saturday."
Florida Southern leads the Sharks in all-time competition, 21-4. The Sharks fell to the Mocs, 3-0, in their last match on Nov. 1, 2013. Cook was the Sharks' leader with nine kills. Pyles assisted on 19 of the team's 23 kills, with
Candice Johnson (Sr., Chuluota, Fla.) notching four. Johnson added five digs.
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