ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.- Win two matches against members of the Peachbelt Conference. Check. Hand Armstrong Atlantic State University their first loss of the season. Double check. Improve their winning streak to 18 matches. Triple check.  The Sailfish volleyball team accomplished all those tasks and more on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Flagler College (3-2) and No. 19-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University (3-0) to improve to 28-3 on the season.

The pair of victories over two more regionally-ranked opponents including the previously undefeated Pirates (24-1) wrapped up a busy day of volleyball at the Flagler Gym for the Sailfish. The team was forced to come from behind against the Saints (16-11) as they trailed two sets to one before rattling off wins in sets four and five while saving their best effort against AASU to close out the big day.

Match One (PBA vs. Flagler College)

For the third time in two seasons the Sailfish and Saints would need the maximum five sets to determine a winner as the former conference foes (Florida Sun Conference) battled once again tooth and nail.

The Sailfish jumped out ahead early with a 25-16 first set victory but it would be Flagler who would put forth a superior effort over the next two sets as they earned 25-20 and 25-23 wins on their home floor. With their backs against the wall, the ‘Fish managed to dig deep and claimed a 25-21 win in set four and a 15-12 win in set five to close out the match.

As has been their calling card throughout much of the past two seasons the PBA side relied heavily on their serve, serve receive and overall defense in the 3-2 win over Flagler. PBA witnessed four players reach double-figures in digs including 21 digs from junior Melissa Buckingham and 20 digs from sophomore Rachael Holehouse.

Faith Rohn returned to the lineup as well and was an effective member of the backrow with 13 digs while fellow sophomore Alex Marszalek added in 12 digs.

Senior Christina Alessi led the team with 21 kills as she returned to the gym where she sustained a season-ending injury last season. Sophomore Elly Raush added in 11 kills while Stephany Brown produced eight kills in the victory.

Becca Acevedo performed well at the setter position with 49 more assists while adding in eight digs and two aces.

The Saints were plagued by 12 service errors in the match while managing a .187 team hitting percentage which was better than PBA’s .131 team hitting mark.

Emilee Taylor led the team with 14 kills while Abby Meyers chipped in 12 kills. Caitlyn Kovach led all players with 25 digs.

Match Two (PBA vs. Armstrong Atlantic State University)

The much-anticipated matchup of the No. 23-ranked Sailfish (AVCA) and the No. 19-ranked Pirates awaited the team’s as a nightcap with the Pirates defeating Florida Southern College (3-1) earlier in the day.

After a long match versus the Saints it wouldn’t appear the ‘Fish were lacking energy as they concluded their match by defeating the Pirates by the game scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-21.

Alessi was once again superb at the net for PBA with a match-best 17 kills on just 29 attacks for a remarkable .483 attacking percentage. She wasn’t alone however.

Rohn emerged as a big hitting threat once again with 13 kills (.344 attacking percentage) while Emma Ballantyne and Raush contributed solid performances as well. Ballantyne finished her match with eight kills on only 11 swings for an eye-popping .636 attacking percentage while Raush finished with seven kills of her own.

Acevedo dished out another 45 assists in the victory while Rohn and Buckingham led the defensive efforts with 12 and 11 digs respectively.

After a subpar team hitting performance in the day’s opening match the Sailfish responded to the challenge of an undefeated opponent by clobbering the volleyball for an overall .376 team hitting mark and one of the best overall performances of the season against AASU.

After a busy day of action on the court the Sailfish will have some time to rest up before taking on Rollins College on Sunday, Nov. 17th for their final tune-up of the regular season.