ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team fell to Eckerd College 3-2 at McArthur Center on Friday, with set scores of 25-19, 25-19, 22-25, 22-25, 8-15. Despite a strong start, capturing the first two sets, the Sailfish could not maintain momentum as EC rallied to take the final three sets. 

Grace Reynolds distributed 48 assists and collected 18 digs over five games, showcasing her dual impact in both setting and defense. Maggie Patterson contributed significantly with four service aces and led defensively with 23 digs. Rachel Smith finished with 18 kills on 35 swings, contributing 19.5 points to lead the team in scoring while hitting .400.. Kelsey Rogers added nine kills and one service ace while blocking one solo and assisting on another. Kaley Board added nine kills and eight digs. 

"Rachel and Grace were awesome for us today along with Kelsey and Harper [Stokes]," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "We kept them off balance the whole time in the first two sets, but we couldn't quite find the serving aggression we needed to finish the match out. There are a lot of positivities and a lot of things we can improve at, and we will continue to get better."

The Sailfish started the first set as the visiting team with a slow start, falling behind 3-0 due to the Tritons' early offensive push. However, the 'Fish quickly regrouped with Rogers and Reynolds leading a series of successful plays to level the score at 3-3. As the set progressed, the 'Fish found their rhythm, notably through Smith and Patterson, who contributed significantly to a decisive 6-0 run that shifted the momentum in their favor, pushing the score to 13-9.

In the latter stages, the Sailfish maintained their lead, bolstered by Harper Stokes and Brighten Sedmack's contributions, eventually extending their lead to 23-18. Lexi Berry's effective play late in the set helped secure the set for the 'Fish, who ended strong with a 25-19 victory in the first set.

The 'Fish opened the second set with a strong start, capitalizing on blocks from Sedmack and Stokes to gain an early 2-0 lead. They maintained momentum with a series of successful kills by Smith and Rogers, extending their advantage to 8-2. A service ace by Patterson at 25-19 sealed the set for the Sailfish. Despite a brief rally by the Tritons, the 'Fish's consistent attacking, highlighted by multiple assists from Reynolds, secured the set with a final score of 25-19.

PBA established an early lead in the third set with a strong start, highlighted by Rogers' kill from Reynolds, putting them up 1-0. Reynolds continued her scoring with consecutive kills, furthering their initial advantage to 3-0. However, Eckerd responded with a series of points, reversing the momentum and taking a 6-4 lead.

Despite the 'Fish's efforts to regain control, including a service ace by Sofia Augusto to tie the score at 8-8, the Tritons maintained pressure, extending their lead to 17-11. Smith and Berry contributed crucial kills, narrowing the gap to 24-22, but EC secured the final point with a kill by Kinga Michalska. The set ended with Eckerd winning 25-22.

PBA battled fiercely in the fourth set against the Tritons, with the score remaining tight throughout. Reynolds facilitated several crucial points, including kills by Board and Rogers, keeping the team within striking distance. Despite Reynolds' efforts, including a late kill by Smith that brought the score to 24-22, EC secured the final point with a kill from Michalska. The set concluded with Eckerd edging out Palm Beach Atlantic, 25-22.

The 'Fish started the fifth set with momentum, taking an early lead at 3-1 after a kill by Augusto and an attack error by Jaelynn Tunley. A kill by Stokes kept the score tied at 4-4. However, the Tritons responded with a series of successful plays, including kills by Peyton Walker, Natalie Aniol, and Kaitlyn Dohs, gaining an 11-6 advantage. The Tritons capitalized on several attack errors, ultimately finishing the set with a decisive 15-8 victory, clinching the match.

The match marks PBA's second consecutive five-set loss. The Tritons outhit PBA .227-.194. The Sailfish tallied 28 attacking errors, despite just eight blocks from EC. 

PBA concludes the regular season on Saturday on the road against Rollins. The match in Winter Park, Fla. is set for 4 p.m.