DAVIE, Fla.- Despite a valiant effort and a 2-1 game lead, the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team was unable to come away with a match victory on Friday morning as they opened up play at the 4th annual Sharks Classic with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Michigan Tech. The Fish will be back in action later today against Oakland Ciy University.

The Sailfish opened the match with a hard-fought 32-30 victory before Tech evened things up with a 25-17 game two win. PBA came back with a 25-19 game three win while MT once again wouldn't go away with a 25-23 game four win to force a decisive game five. Michigan Tech came out on top with a 15-12 win for the 3-2 match victory.

Senior Jennifer Eldridge earned top hitting honors for the Fish with a career-high 19 kills (.216 hitting percentage) while also adding in 15 digs and six service aces. Junior Krisitn Carroll and sophomore Lauren Villarreal also reached double-figures in kills with 12 and 10 respectively. Sophomore Lanae Robinson chipped in with nine kills.

Sophomore setter Jessica Way put together an outstanding effort with a career-high 51 assists with just one setting error while also adding in seven digs. Freshman libero Heather Shulke posted her best performance of the season on defense as well with 28 digs.

For Michigan Tech, they were led by a match-high of 21 kills by Kristine Sexton and 18 kills from Veronica Armstrong. Madeline Haben led the setting efforts with 42 assists while Lyndsey Dixon led five players in double-figures in digs with 17 defensive digs.

For the match, MT held the .166 to PBA's .129 hitting percentage.