MELBOURNE, Fla.- Despite out-hitting their opponent and playing tough from behind on the road, the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team could not overcome a determined Florida Tech team on Friday evening as the Panthers prevailed 3-2 including a 15-13 win in set number five. After falling behind in game one by a 22-25 score, the Fish fought back with a 25-16 set two victory. PBA would fall again in game three by a 14-25 score followed by the 25-22 game four win.

Sophomore Mariela Quesada put forth a career-high of 21 kills in the five sets however was outdone by the good work of FIT outside hitter Frankie Brown who managed 22 kills to lead the FIT hitting efforts. Quesada completed 53 attacks for a .226 hitting percentage while Brown came through with her 22 kills on 39 attempts for a dominating .436 attacking percentage.

Freshman right-side Christina Alessi came away with a solid outing with a career-high of 11 kills while hitting at a .250 clip for the Fish while senior Jennifer Eldridge and junior Janeen McCormick each added in nine kills.

Quesada came away with another double-double as she added ten digs to her 21 kills while junior libero Allie Warren led the team with 19 digs. Junior setter Jessica Way produced 48 assists in defeat while adding 14 digs.

Shelby Deneice and Janelle Branch were the only other FIT players beyond Brown to register at least eight kills as Deneice came away with nine kills and Branch added in eight kills.

Ashley Bryant paved the way defensively for the Panthers with match-high honors of 31 digs while Hayley Tignor posted 37 assists.

PBA will now have the remainder of the weekend off as they prepare for a matchup with St. Thomas University on Tuesday, October 5th at 7 p.m. in the Rubin Arena.