TAMPA, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball defeated Tampa on Saturday, ending the Spartans' 19-match winning streak and improving their own streak to 11 matches. The Sailfish are now 25-3 on the season and 14-3 in Sunshine State Conference play. The Sailfish complete the week with two road wins over the top two ranked teams in the NCAA South Region.
The Sailfish were in control throughout the first set, as the 'Fish got four kills each from Molly Burkhardt and Raegan Grooms and took the opening set 25-21. The Sailfish hit .212 in the opening frame and also picked up four blocks. The big run in the set for the Sailfish came when the 'Fish were down 9-8 and took the next five points to go up 13-9 and gain a lead they would not relinquish.
Tampa bounced back in the second set, which was closely contested like the first. Neither team led by more than four points in the set but the Spartans went on a late run to pull away and win 25-22. Amber Rowoldt led the way for the 'Fish with six kills in the set but it was not enough to overcome Tampa's strong attack in the second set.
The third set was all Sailfish, as the 'Fish had six service aces and cruised to a 25-18 set win. Burkhardt led the way with three aces in the set as the Sailfish defense also played great, adding three blocks in the set.
The fourth set was close the whole way through, as the teams were tied many times, including at 26-26. The Sailfish then got back-to-back kills from senior Ally Rohn to put the match away and complete the upset of No. 4 Tampa.
Grooms led the Sailfish with 12 kills, and was closely followed by Burkhardt and Jennie Anderson who both had 11 kills. Anderson added a massive 10 blocks in the match for a double-double, as Burkhardt completed a triple-double with 15 assists and 17 digs.
Rohn had her best match of the season to date, as she finished with nine kills and just one error, and added 24 assists and 14 digs to come just one kill short of a triple-double. Lilly Turner had 10 assists and 10 digs in the match, and Rowoldt finished with nine kills on the afternoon.
The Sailfish will be back in action on Friday, as they will host Saint Leo at 7 p.m. inside Rubin Arena. The 'Fish will honor their senior class on Friday before the match.
