WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – No. 3 ranked Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball faced possibly their toughest test of the 2018 season to date on Tuesday, as undefeated Barry University came to Rubin Arena tonight for a Sunshine State Conference midweek matchup with the Sailfish.  PBA defeated the Bucs however in four sets, as the 'Fish remained perfect on the season, improving to 13-0 and 5-0 in SSC play.

Palm Beach Atlantic, with several players battling an illness coming into tonight's match, got off to a slow start and found themselves down 16-12 in the opening set, forcing Doug Walters to use a timeout.  The Sailfish seniors stepped up in a big way after the timeout, as the next four kills came from either Maddie Span, Raegan Grooms, or Sophie Hoekstra as the Sailfish pulled even at 18.  Barry then took a 21-20 lead, but the 'Fish rattled off five consecutive points to take the set.  Span picked up three blocks in the final four points of the set, which was served out by freshman Carly Middleton, who added an ace along the way.

The second set was another story for the 'Fish, as Barry jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and never looked back, cruising to a 25-15 win to even up the match.  The Bucs hit .250 in the set, and held the 'Fish to just five kills and a -.069 hitting percentage in the second frame.

Barry looked to be in control of the third set as well, as they were pulling away from the 'Fish and led 21-16 late in the set.  A kill from Hoekstra turned the tide, and the 'Fish proceeded to win the next five points, taking a 22-21 lead.  The Sailfish and Bucs swapped points until Barry took a 25-24 lead and had a chance to go up two sets to one.  A Jennie Anderson kill tied the set, an Amber Rowoldt kill gave the 'Fish a lead, and a Buccaneer attacking error gave the 'Fish a 27-25 set victory.  Sailfish libero Lilly Turner had nine digs in the set for the 'Fish, as she made key digs to keep points alive late in the set.

PBA never trailed in the fourth and final set on Tuesday, as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on late to win 25-20.  Grooms had seven kills in the final set of the match, as she finished with a team-high 16.  Turner added nine digs in the final set to finish with 27, her second-most this season. 

Molly Burkhardt finished the match with 39 assists, 17 digs, and three blocks for the 'Fish, who tallied 14 blocks in total.  Anderson had seven block-assists to go with her six kills, while Rowoldt had six block-assists as well.  Span had seven total blocks on the night, and was very efficient on the other side of the ball, finishing with eight kills and no errors in just 16 attacks.  Hoekstra added eight kills for the 'Fish, while Ally Smith added eight digs.

The Sailfish will now prepare for a big weekend of SSC matches, which will begin on Friday, Sept. 21 as No. 12 ranked Tampa heads to West Palm Beach for a 7 p.m. match inside Rubin Arena.