AIKEN, S.C.- Utilizing a full team effort, the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team showed resilience and determination on Friday evening in a pair of matches on the campus of the University of South Carolina-Aiken. Down 0-2 early on to Francis Marion University in their first match, the Sailfish stormed back for a thrilling 3-2 win then went right to work again with a 3-0 win over the University of North Carolina-Pembroke in their second match of the evening.

Without leading hitter Mariela Quesada for the weekend due to her commitment with the Costa Rica National Team at the World Championships in Japan, the Fish leaned on a full complement of stars on Friday night as they played inspired volleyball in earning their two wins.

After a pair of close but tough losses to Francis Marion in the opening two sets by the scores of 25-21 and 25-19, Palm Beach Atlantic (17-5) fired back with a 25-22 win in set three then a tight 29-27 win in set four. The fourth game featured three different occasions where PBA was within a point of a match loss to the Patriots (13-11) but the team stayed strong until the end for an exciting 29-27 win as senior Jennifer Eldridge put down the final kill from setter Jessica Way to force the fifth and deciding set.

Although FMU would jump out to a 5-1 lead in the early goings of set five, the Sailfish continued their trend of fighting back as they took a 9-8 lead on a Lanae Robinson kill and would take six of the next seven points for the 15-10 set victory that led to the 3-2 match win.

Against the UNC-Pembroke Braves, the Sailfish were faced against a rested and athletic group that were looking to take advantage of the quick turnaround from PBA’s previous match against FMU. Perhaps a double-sided coin, the Fish were able to utilize the momentum from their first match and hold on for the 3-0 win with 25-22, 25-18, and 25-22 victories.

In the five set thriller versus Francis Marion, the Sailfish were paced by Robinson who blew away her previous career-high for kills in a match as she led all players with 19 kills. Joining her in double-figures was fellow junior Janeen McCormick who collected 15 kills with only three hitting errors and a .343 hitting percentage.

Seniors Jennifer Eldridge and Kristin Carroll added in 10 and eight kills each with both proving effective defensively as well with season-highs of 27 and 23 digs respectively. Junior Allie Warren concluded the match with an incredible 37 digs to aid the Sailfish defensive cause while junior Jessie Kubiak added in 12 digs off the bench.

Jessica Way tossed out assist after assist in the match with 55 assists in total while Robinson led a solid defensive effort for PBA at the net with seven block assists and one solo block. Freshman Christina Alessi added in four block assists.

FMU finished with four players reaching double-figures in kills with Mallory Eggert leading the way with 12 alongside teammate Liz Drewry who also managed 12 kills. Libero specialist Kelsie Deaton was consistently diving for balls all night long with 45 digs to lead her team. Nicole Bennett added in 51 assists in defeat while serving seven total aces.

After the exhilarating but exhausting win over FMU, the Fish would hit the court versus UNC-Pembroke and come out firing. Eldridge paced the Sailfish attack with a season-high 13 kills while reaching another double-double with 11 digs. McCormick came in line next with eight kills in 20 total attacks.

Way dished out 35 assists in the three set victory while Warren once again led the team’s defensive showing with 15 digs.

Rebecca Morgan led the Braves hitting efforts with 11 kills while Heather Bolwerk added in 31 assists in the loss.

Palm Beach Atlantic will now prepare for another day of competition at the USC-Aiken Volleyball Invitational against two more opponents from the Peachbelt Conference. First up will be a 10 am match with Augusta State University then following with a 2 pm showing versus Montevallo University.