WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After a nearly two hour delay to the start of the final match in the NCAA South Region First Round, the top-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish washed away Kentucky State University in straight sets, 25-16, 25-9, 25-17.

The ‘Fish (27-4) never trailed in the match and jumped out to a 14-0 lead to start the second set as they cruised to a first round win. PBA will take on Saint Leo in the region semis on Friday at 7:30 p.m. after the Lions defeated West Florida, 3-0, earlier in the day.

PBA was led by freshman Ally Rohn’s 12 kills and 11 assists. Rohn hit .476 for the match with just two errors as the team clubbed .312 for the match including a .500 clip in the second set. She was followed in the kill category by her older sister, Faith, who picked up 11 kills with zero errors and hit .458. The elder Rohn also collected 12 digs.

Senior Rachael Holehouse moved into second place on the school’s all-time dig leaderboard on the night, collecting 20 against the Thorobrettes (25-13). Holehouse passes former teammate Melissa Buckingham on the leaderboard and now has 1,861 in her career.

The Sailfish had only 37 kills on the night with Emma Ballantyne and Sarah Ragland providing five each. Kentucky State had 21 attack errors, hitting .000 for the match. Ballantyne collected four of the team’s 10 block assists on the night as the Sailfish produced six total blocks.

Alexandra Roberts set up the offense on the night with 24 assists and also added five service aces, four of which came during the 14-0 run to start the second. After Kentucky State served to start the match, Roberts served it up 13-straight times before the Thorobrettes were able to pick up a point on a kill from Micah Rogers on the 14th serve.

The Sailfish jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the third and led 13-4 and 22-10 before KSU rallied to score seven of eight later in the set. The first set was the closest of the three as KSU tied it for the only time in the match at 3-3. PBA scored six straight after that to open a 9-3 lead but the Thorobrettes brought themselves back to within four on two occasions before the ‘Fish opened it back up again.

PBA will play Saint Leo for the third time this year on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The ‘Fish won both meeting this year, 3-0 at home and 3-1 on the road. The Lions swept West Florida in their opening match, 25-16, 25-23, 25-14 with Jillian Stolzenburg leading the team with 10 kills.

The top four seeds all advanced on the first day of competition as No. 3 Florida Southern defeated North Alabama 3-1 in the first match of the day. No. 2 seed Tampa also advanced after a 3-0 sweep of Eckerd. The Mocs and Spartans will square off for the third time this season in the first semifinal on Friday at 5 p.m.

The Palm Beach Atlantic-Kentucky State match was delayed for nearly two hours before the start of the match after water was found leaking on the court from the roof prior to the start of the match. The problem was resolved and the floor was dried prior to the teams taking the court and competing.