WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Day two of the Hyatt Place Sunshine Classic was a resounding success for the Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team, sweeping their way to two victories over Bridgeport University and Barton College on Saturday.

GAME ONE
Coming in as No. 25 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association and the host of the tournament put a target on PBA’s back, but the Sailfish began the game in dominating fashion, getting 17 total kills with a .333 attack percentage to win 25-17 over the Purple Knights. Bridgeport would come right back in the second set and give Palm Beach Atlantic all they could handle.

BU got up right away, leading 10-3 after earning eight points in a row. PBA started to chip away at the lead, but still trailed 17-10 when head coach Bob White called his second timeout of the set. That’s when the ‘Fish made their move. First they cut the deficit to 18-14, and then it was 22-18. Senior Melissa Buckingham stepped to the service line and strung together four straight points to tie the score.

Palm Beach Atlantic would get down again, with the Purple Knights at set point, but Faith Rohn stepped up in a big way. The junior knocked down two straight kills to give PBA a match point of their own. After trading side-outs, the ‘Fish came away with the exciting victory.

Set three saw Bridgeport build a lead early again, with the visitors leading 16-11 until once again Buckingham’s service came through. Four errors by BU and kills from Rohn and senior Becca Acevedo put PBA on top for good.

Rohn led the way on the attack in the first game, coming away with 15 kills. Libero Rachael Holehouse had a team-high 14 digs, while Acevedo handed out 33 assists. Freshman Sarah Ragland continued her strong play early in the season with seven digs and seven blocks (1 solo, 6 assist).

GAME TWO
After the adrenaline-filled first match, PBA coasted through the second match of the day with 25-10, 25-18, and 25-10 set victories over Barton College.

Palm Beach Atlantic coasted through the first set, jumping out to a 9-2 lead to start and then surging to a 17-3 advantage. The second set was closer on the scoreboard, but the Sailfish dominated again, at one point leading 21-13 and coming away with the 25-18 final. The third set started with a 9-0 run and ended with a 5-0 run for a 25-10 final.

The statistics were spread evenly amongst the individuals in the nightcap, with Faith Rohn leading the way with 12 kills. Emma Ballantyne and Katie Ballantyne added seven and five respectively, while each hit .400 or better. Rohn finished the night with 12 digs as well, joined in double-digits by Rachael Holehouse. Becca Acevedo passed out 34 assists along the way.

PBA returns to action on Tuesday night at 7 PM as they host South Florida foe Nova Southeastern at the Rubin Arena.