WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- After a tough loss on Tuesday evening to No. 2-ranked University of Tampa, the Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team couldn’t have asked for a better rebound match on Thursday night at the Rubin Arena. Taking on Northwood University for their second annual Pink Night, the Sailfish looked poised and confident as they rattled off three dominating sets  over the visiting Seahawks as PBA improves to 24-3 on the season.

Friends and family alike gathered on Thursday evening not only to support Palm Beach Countie’s two collegiate volleyball programs but to also remember the life of Connie Vanderwey whose name has been attached to PBA’s Pink Night for the past two seasons.

A beloved member of the volleyball community, Vanderwey is now being honored through the establishment of the Connie Vanderwey Scholarship at PBA that was awarded for a second straight year at a PBA volleyball match. This year’s recipient was from the PBA women’s tennis team in junior Jessica Wharton.

Palm Beach Atlantic President Bill Fleming and Athletic Director Carolyn Stone were on hand for the scholarship presentation alongside Wharton and former PBA volleyball coach Terri Kaiser. Kaiser is the sister of Connie Vanderwey and was joined by Connie’s children, Aaron and Lindsay for the presentation.

All gate receipts from the evening as well as t-shirt sales and donations were taken in a way to continue to remember the legacy of someone so special to many in the community.

On the court, it was all Sailfish from the start. PBA collected 25-7, 25-9 and 25-10 victories.

A total of 13 players received court time while 10 players registered at least one kill for the match. Senior Mariela Quesada and freshman Faith Rohn topped the hitting charts with six kills each while freshman Stephany Brown and sophomore Shenise Howard each added in five kills as PBA collected a .452 team  hitting percentage for the match.

Becca Acevedo provided 21 assists in two sets of work while Alex Marszalek chipped in with 11 assists in a solid showing during the third set. 

Despite just three sets of play, sophomore libero Melissa Buckingham still proved impressive as she posted 16 digs to lead all players while Quesada and Rachael Holehouse added in five digs each.

Freshman Brytney Annis led the blocking efforts for PBA with three block assists.

PBA will get back to work quickly by traveling to Nova Southeastern University on Saturday and participate in the South Region Crossover in Fort Lauderdale. The Sailfish will take on the University of West Alabama at 12 pm followed by a match with the host Sharks at 6 pm. Both matches are key as they provide the Fish with two more NCAA South Regional matches.