WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.– The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team returned home to face Florida Tech on Friday night as the squad begins its push to earn a postseason berth.
 
The Sailfish fed off the energy of the Rubin Arena crowd as PBA (15-11, 7-8 Sunshine State Conference) swept the Panthers 3-0. PBA outhit Florida Tech (4-22, 1-14 SSC) .304-.156 as Sam Wolf rejoined her team after missing the last two matches due to injury. Ally Smith was also a key contributor for the 'Fish, leading the team with 18 digs and adding a career-high nine kills.
 
PBA started strong in the first set, scoring the first four points of the match. The Panthers responded by going on a 6-1 run to take an 11-9 lead early in the set. The Sailfish took control midway through the set as a 9-2 run gave PBA a controlling 22-15 lead. The Sailfish won the set 25-17 after kills from Jordan Rush and Anna Gregerson slammed the door on the Panthers.
 
The second set was tightly contested as neither team could gain a large advantage. PBA led 11-6 early in the set, but the Panthers battled back, eventually taking a 16-15 lead. Neither team could pull away as the set was tied at 20. The Sailfish scored five of the last seven points in the set thanks to kills from Wolf, Smith and Caroline Swan to take the set 25-22.
 
Florida Tech attempted to stay alive in the third set, but PBA proved to be too much for the visiting Panthers. With the set tied at 16, the 'Fish went on a 9-3 run to win the set 25-19 and clinch the match with a kill from Marlena Kincaid being the final dagger.
 
Jazz Schmidt finished with a double-double consisting of a team-high 12 kills and 21 assists. Wolf was not far behind for the 'Fish with 11 kills, hitting .407. Lilly Turner totaled 17 digs while Emma Pieper recorded 21 assists. 
 
PBA faces a challenge in the form of Embry-Riddle on Saturday. The match at Rubin Arena begins at 4 p.m.