ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Ally Rohn notched her second triple double of the season as the No. 4 Sailfish rolled to their eighth straight victory on Friday night, taking down Eckerd 25-20, 25-18, 28-26.
The Sailfish (8-0, 3-0 SSC) remain undefeated on the season, a season which they've played every match away from home. Their nearly month long trek will finally come to an end next week when they play three times inside Rubin Arena, beginning on Tuesday.
Against the Tritons on Friday night it was the outside hitters and the big front line that made the difference. Rohn and
Raegan Grooms combined for 25 kills and a .327 attack while the team totaled 13 total blocks. Senior
Sarah Kimmey was responsible for nine of those with one solo and eight block assists.
The Sailfish pulled away in set one after falling behind 11-7. They went on a 10-2 run to take control and later scored three straight points that helped withstand Eckerd's final push. PBA carried their momentum into the second, taking a 10-2 lead and eventually pushing the lead out to 21-11.
The third was a different story as Eckerd hung with the 'Fish, taking an 11-7 lead of their own. After PBA eventually took the lead at 20-18, Eckerd refused to go away, scoring six of the next seven points to pull within one point of forcing a fourth set. Grooms followed with a kill and was backed by a kill from
Maddie Span to pull the 'Fish within one. After a timeout by the Tritons, Span and
Molly Burkhardt came up with a big block to tie it at 24-24. PBA fought off two more set points for the Tritons before scoring three straight, a kill from Span and two from Rohn to pick up the win.
Rohn added 13 assists and 10 digs for her second triple double of the year. She also had four blocks. Burkhardt led the team with 17 assists and added 11 digs, three blocks and two kills. It was her second double double this season.
Grooms tallied 10 digs to go along with her 10 kills to record her third double double and second in three conference matches.
Susie Forbes led the team with 15 digs while Span added five kills to her four blocks.
The Sailfish head to Saint Leo on Saturday for a showdown with the No. 21 Lions. First serve is set for 4 p.m.