WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team returned to Rubin Arena on Friday to begin its final weekend of regular season action. 
 
The Sailfish turned in a strong performance against Florida Southern (7-22, 3-16 SSC) in front of their home crowd. PBA (17-13, 9-10 Sunshine State Conference) defeated the Mocs in four sets as the 'Fish held the Mocs to a .107 hitting percentage, thanks in part to eight blocks from the PBA front line. The hosts hit .299 in the match on the way to a 3-1 win to keep postseason hopes alive.
 
PBA wasted no time getting in a rhythm as the Sailfish were on fire to start the first set. The 'Fish started the set on an 8-0 run that included three kills from Jazz Schmidt. PBA's attack had its way in the set as the Mocs had no answer on defense. The Sailfish hit a team-high .387 in the set as they cruised to a 25-13 win to take a 1-0 lead. Schmidt finished with five kills in the set while Caroline Swan and Amber Rowoldt added three kills each in the set.
 
The second set was more competitive as the Mocs regrouped, getting off to a 4-1 lead early on. A 6-1 run by FSC gave the Mocs a 10-5 lead before the Sailfish battled back with a 5-1 run of their own to make it 11-10. Later in the set with FSC leading 18-16, PBA made its push. The 'Fish went on a 5-1 run to take a 20-19 lead. The Mocs recovered by taking a 23-21 lead, just as it seemed like FSC would tie the match at one, PBA ended the set on a 4-0 run to win 25-23.
 
PBA got off to another good start in the third set. Two runs early in the set gave the Sailfish a 13-6 lead after a kill by Lyndzey Minter. Later in the set, a pair of kills from Marlena Kincaid gave the 'Fish an 18-11 advantage. With the score 18-15, the Sailfish went on a 4-1 run thanks to another kill from Kincaid and two more kills from Minter to make it 22-16. It looked like PBA was poised for a sweep, but FSC had other plans. The Mocs went on a 7-0 to take a 23-22 lead. Both teams traded leads as the duo of Wolf and Swan kept the Sailfish alive, combining for four kills down the stretch; however, FSC ended the set on a 3-0 run to win 28-26.
 
The Sailfish put an end to the Mocs' comeback in the fourth set. PBA went on a 9-0 run early in the set that included kills from Swan, Minter and Schmidt that gave the 'Fish a 14-5 lead. FSC never recovered as the Sailfish continued to pull away. A 6-1 run later in the set gave PBA a 23-12 lead. PBA finished off the set with an ace from Schmidt to clinch the 25-14 lead and the 3-1 match win.
 
Swan led the Sailfish with 12 kills in the match, hitting .294. Wolf totaled 11 kills on a scorching .440 hitting percentage. Schmidt finished one dig short of a triple-double with 10 kills, 16 assists and nine digs. Minter and Rowoldt tallied seven kills each; Minter hit .400 in the match. Ally Smith led PBA with 14 digs with Lilly Turner right behind with 13 digs of her own. Emma Pieper led the 'Fish with 25 assists, and Anna Gregerson added six blocks and five digs.
 
The Sailfish play their last match of the regular season tomorrow night against Eckerd tomorrow at 7 p.m. PBA will be honoring its seniors prior to the match.