DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team picked up a five-set victory over the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Saturday evening. Rachel Smith had 18 kills for the Sailfish on an impressive .586 hitting percentage.  

"Big time, gritty win for the 'Fish today," said Coach Jeff Huebner. "Grace [Reynolds] was incredible in all phases and got so much help from Rachel [Smith], Kayley [Board], and Maggie [Patterson].  

The Eagles started off the night hot, getting out to an early 18-7 lead in the first set. The Sailfish climbed back into the set and cut the Eagles lead to six but ultimately dropped the set 25-17.  

In the second set of the match, the Eagles got out to an early lead once again, but the Sailfish crawled back in it once again. This time completely erasing a six-point deficit. PBA got some big kills from Kelsey Rogers, Kaley Board and Rachel Smith to take the second set 25-22.  

The win didn't come easy for the 'Fish with them dropping the third set 25-16. However, the Sailfish fought back with a fourth set win, 25-21 to force a fifth and deciding set. 

"Today was really a story of how deep our program has become," said Coach Huebner. "We had so many little adjustments and plays from so many people to make today work." 

The Sailfish, fired up early in the final set, got out to a 4-2 lead with back-to-back kills from Rachel Smith. However, the Eagles answered right back with 3 points of their own. The teams kept each other within one point until a Kaley Board kill and a Grace Reynolds service ace gave the Sailfish a 10-8 lead and forced an Eagle timeout. The Sailfish extended the lead to 13-9 and after two Eagle points made it 13-11, they took a timeout of their own. Out of the timeout, Rachel Smith got a kill to make it 14-11 and Brighten Sedmack finished off the win with a service ace. 

The Sailfish return home to the Rubin Arena on Tuesday at 6 p.m. when they host Lynn. 

Coach Huebner adds, "We need everyone in the gym Tuesday in the Rubin! Fill the Fish Tank!