BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team traveled down I-95 to face Lynn University in a Sunshine State Conference matchup Saturday afternoon.

The Sailfish matched up against a Lynn team that entered the match ranked No. 19 in the AVCA top 25. The Fighting Knights controlled the match through the first two sets, but the Sailfish did not roll over. PBA responded by winning the third and fourth sets, forcing a fifth. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, the comeback fell short as Lynn held off PBA, 3-2.

"Very proud of the progress our team is making," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "We played tough against a top nationally ranked opponent on the road."

PBA featured a balanced attack, led by Sydney Corbett with nine kills and nine digs. Anna Beth Stokes stuffed the stat sheet, totaling 23 assists with eight kills, seven digs, and two blocks. Savanna Rogers also filled multiple roles for the Sailfish throughout the match, recording seven kills, 11 blocks, and seven assists. Kaileigh Ammons tallied seven kills, three blocks, and three aces. Jayna Bredenberg led PBA with 19 digs as libero.

"Kelsey [Rogers] and Kaileigh did a good job at the net for us, while Sav played an elite volleyball player match, starting as a setter, right side and outside today in different sets," Huebner said."

Lynn came out firing on all cylinders to start the match. The Sailfish block has been a strength for the visitors, but the PBA front row did not record a block through the first two sets. The Sailfish offense hit a match-high, .286 in the opening frame, but the team came up short, 25-18. The Fighting Knights took a 2-0 lead after winning the second set, 25-10.

The Sailfish made their presence felt at the net in the third set, notching four blocks as PBA showed signs of life. Corbett started to heat up on the outside, helping the Sailfish build a lead. PBA held off a 4-0 run from the hosts down the stretch to win the third set, 25-22, and stay alive.

PBA kept its momentum going in the fourth set, building a 16-11 after kills from Kelsey Rogers and S. Rogers. Some tough serves from the Fighting Knights allowed Lynn to work its way back into the match. The Fighting Knights clawed their way back, reclaiming the lead, 23-22. A kill from Stokes and two consecutive attack errors from Lynn clinched the set for PBA, 26-24, forcing the fifth set.

The Sailfish magic ran out in the fifth set. PBA struggled to string together a run after Lynn jumped out to an early lead. PBA rejected a pair of attacks in the set, but it was not enough as the Fighting Knights won, 15-8.

"Our commitment to growth daily is going to be the most important part of our program this year and we are focused," Huebner said. "Looking forward to another excellent week in the Sunshine State."
PBA continues its string of road contests on Friday against Nova Southeastern. The match in Davie, Fla. takes place at 7 p.m.