WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team swept Rollins College 3-0 (25-15, 26-24, 25-20) on Saturday at Warden Arena. The Sailfish recorded 47 kills with a .340 hitting percentage, while adding 7 service aces.
Rachel Smith excelled with 14 kills on 23 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .609 while contributing three blocks.
Sydney Corbett recorded 11 kills, three aces, nine digs.
Grace Reynolds orchestrated the offense with 40 assists and chipped in with four digs and a service ace.
Eduarda Dutra was a defensive standout, collecting 17 digs as libero.
Kaley Board tallied 14 kills, hitting .300 with eight digs and a block.
Today's win concludes PBA's regular season. The 'Fish finish third in the Sunshine State Conference standings with a 12-8 record in SSC play as a part of a 22-9 overall record. PBA is currently ranked No. 4 in the NCAA South Region. The Sailfish find out their seed in the regional tournament during Monday's selection show.
"Super proud of our team for earning our 6th road win and finishing 3rd in the SSC," PBA head coach
Jeff Huebner said. "This season has been filled with growth and improvement through the challenges and I am grateful for the work that Lu, Brena and Emma have done to help put our program into the top group of the best conference in Division II. Today our pins were awesome, Rachel, Kaley and Syd carried the load from the beginning and allowed us to stay poised and produce in tough sports. Grace set another excellent match and Duda played really well in the libero role for us today. Looking forward to learning our seed in the regional and so thankful to have the chance to play volleyball in December."
PBA began the first set with a solid performance, after an early 2-0 deficit.
Kelsey Rogers initiated the scoring for the visitors, followed by a series of three consecutive service aces from Corbett, pushing the score to 4-2 in favor of the 'Fish. The team continued to build momentum with effective plays from Smith, who contributed multiple kills, and strong blocking from Rogers and Board. A service ace by Reynolds extended the lead to 21-11. The set concluded with the 'Fish maintaining control and securing the set 25-15, aided by consistent assists from Reynolds and timely kills by Corbett and Board.
The Sailfish began the second set with a balanced offensive effort, as
Harper Stokes and Board each secured early kills, keeping the score tight against the Tars. A service ace by Rogers momentarily leveled the score, but the teams continued to trade points in a closely contested set. The 'Fish displayed resilience, with Smith and Corbett contributing crucial kills.
The latter stages saw PBA capitalizing on Rollins' errors and effective blocking from Rogers and Corbett to equalize the score at 22-22.
Maggie Patterson's service ace pushed PBA ahead 24-23, but a subsequent service error allowed Rollins to equalize. Ultimately, Rogers and Board delivered decisive kills, sealing the set with a 26-24 win for the 'Fish.
The third set began with a back-and-forth exchange, as PBA and RC alternated points in the early stages. Rogers and Corbett contributed early kills, setting the tone for the visitors. Reynolds facilitated the attack with consistent assists, helping the Sailfish maintain a narrow lead.
Midway through the set, the 'Fish gained momentum with a series of key plays, including a block by Stokes and Smith, and a kill by Smith. This sequence extended their lead to four points.
Savanna Rogers added a service ace, further boosting their advantage.
PBA continued to build on their lead with another strong showing by Smith, who delivered multiple kills. Despite a late push from Rollins, including a service ace by Cameron Grange, the Sailfish closed the set at 25-20 with a decisive kill from Board, securing the match.
The Sailfish outhit Rollins as a team .340 - .202. The 'Fish posted a 73 percent sideout percentage in the match.
