WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team edged past Embry-Riddle in a thrilling five-set match, 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22, 15-10, on Friday at Rubin Arena. PBA took down the Eagles, who received votes in this week's AVCA top 25 poll.

Grace Reynolds directed the offense with 46 assists and contributed 16 digs. Maggie Patterson was a defensive standout with 20 digs while adding two service aces. Kelsey Rogers led at the net with 10 total blocks and registered a team-high 13 kills. Harper Stokes added defensive strength with five total blocks and posted nine kills on an efficient .444 hitting percentage. The 'Fish outhit ERAU .198 - .169. 

"It seemed to take us a minute to get back into match play after the weekend off, but I'm really proud of our team resolve tonight," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "Grace was lights out for us offensively, defensively and as a setter. Kelsey and Harper were terrific in all phases, which really allowed us to be great defensively in sets 3-5. Can't wait to see everyone back in Rubin tomorrow at 4!"

PBA initiated the first set with momentum, capitalizing on an attack error by Dakota Zieman and a service ace from Patterson to take an early 2-0 lead. Rogers contributed significantly with a kill, helping the home team maintain a narrow advantage at 4-3. Embry-Riddle responded with a series of points that shifted the momentum, taking a 6-4 lead. Despite efforts from Kaley Board and Stokes, who added crucial kills, the 'Fish fell behind 13-7. Lexi Berry's service ace sparked a rally, allowing the Sailfish to level the score at 17-17. However, the Eagles closed the set strongly, aided by a sequence of service aces from Isabella Rujano, securing a 25-18 victory in the first set.

In the second set, ERAU capitalized on early momentum by building a 6-1 lead, aided by several attack errors from the 'Fish. However, the Sailfish responded with a series of points, including a service ace by Liani Sierra and consecutive blocks by Stokes and Reynolds, to narrow the gap to 8-6. The home team continued to fight back, tying the score at 15-15 with kills from Nae Jordan and Rogers. The Sailfish briefly took the lead at 17-15 with strong offensive contributions from Rogers and Reynolds. The set remained intense with both teams exchanging points, reaching a 24-24 tie. Despite a late service ace from Reynolds to level the score, the Eagles secured the set with a 26-24 victory following crucial kills from Kailey Hrbek and Rujano.

PBA entered the third set with a narrow advantage. Sydney Corbett played a pivotal role, contributing multiple kills that helped maintain momentum for the home team. A run midway through the set, aided by two consecutive errors from the opponent's setter, allowed the 'Fish to build a slight lead. As the set progressed, Reynolds facilitated the offense with key assists, while Berry and Stokes added important kills to keep the score tight. Although ERAU rallied to tie the set at 22-22, Corbett and Rogers delivered decisive kills in the closing moments. The Sailfish ultimately secured the set with a 25-23 finish, concluding the set with a kill by Rogers, giving the home team a crucial edge. 

The Eagles initially gained momentum in the fourth set with an early 2-0 lead, including a service ace by Ashlyn Koerner. However, Palm Beach Atlantic responded with Brighten Sedmack's kill to cut into the deficit. Reynolds facilitated a balanced attack, enabling Sedmack and Rogers to contribute kills, helping PBA to level the score at 3-3. The 'Fish capitalized on opponent errors to advance the score to 7-4, with a block by Corbett and Rogers marking a key defensive play. ERAU managed to tie the game at 7-7, but PBA's consistent offensive pressure, highlighted by Sedmack and Rogers, kept the match closely contested.

As the set reached its climax at 20-20, Palm Beach Atlantic seized control with decisive plays, including a kill by Stokes and a service ace by Reynolds. The final moments were marked by a block from Rogers and Sedmack, securing a 25-22 victory and closing the set strongly in favor of Palm Beach Atlantic.

The fifth set began with the Sailfish taking an early advantage with a kill from Sedmack, assisted by Reynolds. Rogers and Reynolds combined for a block, contributing to a 2-0 start. The Eagles responded, narrowing the gap to 2-1 with a kill from Zieman. The 'Fish maintained momentum with a key block by Corbett and Rogers, bringing the score to 3-1. Despite ERAU tying the score at 3-3, The 'Fish regained control as Berry and Stokes recorded consecutive kills. The home team extended their lead to 5-3.

In the final stretch, Palm Beach Atlantic capitalized on ERAU's errors and made strong defensive plays, including a block by Stokes and Reynolds. Berry and Stokes each added late kills, pushing the score to 14-10. Stokes secured the decisive point with a kill, closing the set at 15-10 in favor of Palm Beach Atlantic.

PBA is back in action on Saturday against Florida Tech. The match is Rubin Arena is set for 4 p.m.