WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- Even though Fall Break at Palm Beach Atlantic University may have lessened the overall number of spectators on Friday night an energized crowd helped pump up the ‘Fish to a 3-0 sweep of Flagler College to push their win streak to 12 matches. Three PBA players reached double-figures in kills on the night as the Sailfish connected for a solid .265 overall team hitting percentage to clinch the season sweep of the Saints.

The Friday night sweep over Flagler (14-8) sets the stage for a Saturday matinee at nearby Lynn University as the Sailfish (22-3) will look to win their 13th in a row. First serve is schedule for 4 pm in Boca Raton.

Senior Christina Alessi paced the PBA attack with a big night as the West Palm Beach native pounded home 20 kills in three sets as the ‘Fish earned set victories of 25-18, 25-21 and 30-28.

After two relatively easy wins in the first two sets for PBA a determined Flagler side made some lineup changes for the third set in hopes of extending the match. With PBA leading 24-21 the Saints charged back with three straight points to tie things at 24-24 before fighting off two more match points by the Sailfish to take a 27-26 lead.

With things getting potentially too close for comfort and the crowd reenergized the Sailfish turned to Alessi for their final three kills as PBA’s lone senior secured the 3-0 win for her team with her gutsy play down the stretch.

Following Alessi in the kills column was sophomores Faith Rohn and Stephany Brown as the duo each claimed 11 kills apiece. Brown proved especially efficient with her good night coming on only 21 attacks with just two hitting errors for a superb .429 hitting mark.

The Sailfish saw Alessi (.457 hitting percentage) and freshman Emma Ballantyne (.467 hitting percentage) also prove effective with their attacks all night with Ballantyne finishing with eight kills.

Melissa Buckingham paced the PBA defensive efforts with a match-best 19 digs while Rohn and fellow sophomore Rachael  Holehouse each made some spectacular plays as well as Rohn finished with yet another double-double with 15 digs and Holehouse chipping in 12 digs.

Becca Acevedo concluded her night with 49 assists and a pair of service aces while also chipping in eight digs to aid the winning cause.

Flagler was led by Emilee Taylor who had eight kills while Abby Meyers collected seven digs. Caitlyn Kovach led Flagler’s defensive unit with 16 digs from the libero position.