PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team concluded its time at the UWF Invitational with a pair of matches on Saturday.
 
The Sailfish nearly secured their third win of the tournament against Southern Indiana (2-2), but PBA (2-2) blew a 2-0 lead to the Screaming Eagles who are receiving votes in the AVCA top-25. PBA looked to bounce back against the hosting West Florida Argos (4-0), who are also receiving votes, but PBA was swept by a tough Argos team, 3-0.
 
Alyse Cundiff, Jazz Schmidt and Amber Rowoldt were named to the weekend's all-tournament team.
 
PBA volleyball is scheduled to make its return to Rubin Arena next weekend at the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach. The 'Fish play matches against Emmanuel and American International to start the tournament on Friday.
 
Southern Indiana - 3, Palm Beach Atlantic – 2
 
The majority of the first set consisted of USI playing catchup to PBA's lead. The largest deficit of the set never grew larger than five as the Screaming Eagles showed resilience. With a 20-19 lead, PBA shut the door on USI with a 5-1 run which included a kill and an ace by Cundiff, an ace from Lauren Cummings and a pair of attack errors by the Screaming Eagles.
 
It seemed as if the Sailfish were going to run away with the match after an impressive 25-14 win in the second set. The offense was running on all cylinders, hitting .344 to go with four blocks from the front row. Unfortunately for PBA, the Screaming Eagles returned the favor in the third set, defeating the 'Fish 25-16.
 
The Sailfish had a chance to put USI away in the fourth set with a 17-13 lead. The Screaming Eagles refused to quit, responding with a 9-3 run including two service errors and two attack errors from the 'Fish to take a 22-20 lead. PBA answered with kills from Rowoldt and Cundiff, but the Screaming Eagles stayed alive by winning the set 25-22.
 
PBA dug itself into an early hole in the fifth set. An ace from USI, followed by two attack errors and a set error, made it a 14-6 deficit. The 'Fish tried to mount a last-minute comeback, but the Screaming Eagles won the set, 15-10. USI hit .438 in the final set while the 'Fish hit .167.
 
Cundiff and Rowoldt led the 'Fish with 17 kills each. Rowoldt notched her first double-double of the season with 10 digs, while hitting .220. Cundiff hit .239 while adding nine digs. Ally Smith totaled a career-high 24 digs with three service aces. Schmidt led PBA with 43 assists, nine digs and four blocks. Maddy Hooper led PBA with six blocks of her own with two kills. The 'Fish were slightly more efficient than USI, hitting .222 compared to the Screaming Eagles' .185.
 
West Florida - 3, Palm Beach Atlantic – 0
 
Playing in its second match of the day, PBA faced a West Florida team playing in its only match of the day. The Argos set the tone early in the first set, jumping out to a 12-5 lead. PBA traded points with the hosts, but it was unable to string together a run. UWF pulled away late, ending the set on an 8-1 run, winning the set 25-13.
 
The Sailfish hung with the Sailfish for the majority of the second set. A 5-0 run by the 'Fish with a pair of aces by Smith gave PBA a 13-12 lead. The Argos remained within striking distance and a 6-2 run from UWF gave the Argos a 23-18 lead. The hosts closed the set with a 25-20 win.
 
PBA found itself tied with the Argos at 11 in the third set, but UWF went on a 9-3 run to take a 20-14 lead. The Argos closed the set out with a 25-15 win to complete the 3-0 sweep. 
 
Cundiff finished with a team-high 10 kills. Schmidt tallied a double-double, leading the 'Fish with 21 assists and 10 digs. Smith was right behind with nine digs and two aces.