WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Looking to gain momentum as they head toward postseason play in the coming weeks, the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team took a step in the right direction on Wednesday evening as they defeated cross town rival Northwood University by a 3-0 score.

Blessed with a solid crowd, the Sailfish (11-16) utilized a team effort against the Seahawks (12-17) as head coach Beth Avila was able to mix and match her lineup with a variety of different sets.

After dominating NU with a 25-10 opening game victory, it would take two late comebacks in games two and three before the Fish tallied 28-26 and 27-25 victories over the Hawks.

PBA came out swinging in the opening game to the tune of a .308 hitting percentage (12 kills, four errors) before coming back down to earth in the remaining two games. Overall, the Fish hit for a .078 hitting percentage while Northwood came away with a .008 hitting clip.

Sophomore Liz Fugate, a native of Ozark, Missouri, led the Fish with 10 kills and only two hitting errors while accumulating a team-high .421 attack percentage on the night. Not usually a threat from the back-row, the 6’2” Fugate performed well when called upon and tallied seven digs while producing six block assists in her more common front line blocking role.

Allie Warren and Emily Ryerson followed Fugate in the stat sheet with six kills each while freshman Lanae Robinson made her first career start while producing four kills and a team leading seven blocks (one solo, six block assists).

Ryerson paced a strong setting effort for PBA as the senior put together 23 assists while adding in five digs and six block assists.

Junior Jennifer Eldridge, a local product out of Dwyer High School, produced a strong defensive effort as she notched 17 digs to lead all players while freshman Jessica Way and sophomore Kristin Carroll also came through with 10 digs each.

Gracie Silva led all players with 12 kills as the Northwood product also added in seven digs.

PBA will return to the Rubin Arena court on Friday as they host another county rival in Lynn University at 7 pm.

NOTES: Special thanks to the PBA School of Education and Behavioral Studies for coming out to support the Fish.