WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team hosted Eckerd College in their home finale on Friday evening as the two teams squared off at the Rubin Arena before a nice crowd on senior night. After a warm pregame ceremony honoring PBA’s lone senior Jennifer Eldridge the two teams got down to business in five, back-and-forth sets with the Tritons coming on top 3-2.

With Palm Beach Atlantic amidst their annual Fall Break and the crowd somewhat smaller that typical, the Sailfish still managed to put together a great overall performance in front of the home crowd as they jumped out on the Tritons with a dominating 25-10 opening set victory. Eckerd, who has been ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) top-25 coaches poll for much of the season, was limited to a -.07 team hitting percentage with only six kills and nine errors in 38 total attempts.

There wouldn’t be any giving up on the Tritons sideline however as they stormed back for a 25-21 victory of their own in set number two as the team regrouped while limiting PBA to a .157 overall hitting percentage and producing a match-high .275 overall mark.

Back came the Fish in set three with a tight 25-23 win followed by a 25-19 win for EC in set four. It came down to the fifth-set tie-breaker with the Tritons holding on 15-13 after trailing 13-12.

Eldridge, who has led the Sailfish hitting efforts all season long, saved one of her best performances of the season on Friday as she led all players with 17 kills (.192 attacking percentage) while putting together yet another double-double with 14 digs.

Junior Kristin Carroll and sophomore Lanae Robinson also came through with big-time performances as well with 14 kills each. Carroll made a number of terrific defensive plays as well as she came through with a season-high mark of 15 digs while Robinson assisted on five blocks.

Leading the defensive efforts from the opening serve was the strong work of PBA freshman libero Heather Shulke who registered a career-high 35 digs with just one receiving error for the entire match. Sophomore Allie Warren also played some strong minutes off the bench with 10 digs as a back-row substitute while also adding in a team-high three service aces.

Sophomore Jessica Way showed her great potential from the setter position with 55 total assists in the five-set marathon.

On the Tritons side, they were led by always-strong Suncoast High School product from nearby Palm Beach Gardens Lydee Benoit who shook off a rough first set to lead the team with 14 kills while adding in 16 digs. Taylor Whaley and Allegra Shaw also produced solid nights with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Shaw proved valuable as a blocker with three solo blocks and four block assists while hitting at a match-high .409 overall hitting percentage.

Hallie Ward came away with 31 digs while Megan Golovkin handled a majority of the setting duties with 40 total assists. 

Palm Beach Atlantic is now 11-12 on the season while the victory for Eckerd moves them to 16-9.

The Sailfish will now have a week off before preparing next week for a busy upcoming weekend. The team will travel to Flagler College on Friday, November 6th for an 8 p.m. match then take on South Carolina Art and Design the following day on Flagler’s court at 12 p.m. for a neutral site match.