VALDOSTA, Ga. — The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team showcased two impressive victories on Friday at The Complex, defeating Georgia College in four sets (25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 25-19) and Valdosta State in another four-set match (29-27, 18-25, 25-15, 25-23).
 
Throughout both matches, the Sailfish demonstrated their offensive prowess, tallying 58 kills against Georgia College and 62 kills against Valdosta State, while maintaining solid hitting percentages of .237 and a remarkable performance in serving with a total of 14 service aces combined.  
 
"Today was a really good job by our team to get two more wins and our first road win of the season," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "We learned about all the different ways that we could adjust and continue to make plays with different lineups and configurations. Lexi Berry had her best day as a 'Fish, making great choices and being a defensive force for her first double-double of her career. Serve receive was really good in both matches, really limiting errors and giving us opportunities to make big important choices in the front row."
 
The Sailfish return to West Palm Beach to host the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach next weekend. PBA plays its home opener Friday night against Lee at 6 p.m.
 
Match One - PBA: 3, GC: 1
 
PBA defeated Georgia College in four sets, 25-16, 25-15, 24-26, 25-19, on Friday at The Complex. The Sailfish tallied 58 kills with a .237 hitting percentage, while the Bobcats recorded 41 kills at a .132 clip. The 'Fish also excelled in serving, registering seven aces to Georgia College's four.
 
Maggie Patterson recorded 20 digs over the match, contributing significantly to the defensive efforts. Grace Reynolds provided a strong setting performance with 44 assists, while also adding 15 digs. Harper Stokes led with 10 kills on a .412 hitting percentage and added three service aces. Smith was effective at the net with 10 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and contributed four total blocks.
 
The 'Fish took control early in the first set, opening with a 4-1 lead highlighted by Kelsey Rogers' kill, assisted by Reynolds. Reynolds continued to drive the offense, accumulating numerous assists, including a key sequence with consecutive kills by Smith, Kaley Board, and Stokes, extending the lead to 10-5. Despite a strategic timeout by the Bobcats as the score reached 18-14, the Sailfish maintained their momentum with Addison Chapman and Lexi Berry adding late kills to secure a 25-16 victory in the opening set.
 
The 'Fish surged ahead in the second set, leveraging a series of scoring streaks to secure a 25-15 win against the Bobcats. Reynolds contributed significantly, providing multiple assists, including a standout moment with a kill by Stokes. The team capitalized on several errors from the opposition while Patterson's serves helped maintain pressure, culminating in a decisive service ace to close the set.
 
The third set began with the Bobcats taking an early lead, capitalizing on the 'Fish's attack errors and a service ace by Riese Johnson to go up 6-1. The 'Fish responded with a series of points, including a kill by Berry and a service ace from Stokes, closing the gap to 11-9. As the set progressed, Smith's kill tied the score at 14-14, but the teams continued to trade points in a tightly contested battle. With the score tied at 24-24, the Bobcats managed to secure the final two points, including an ace from Camryn Carlton, to win the set 26-24.
 
The 'Fish capitalized on an early momentum surge in the fourth set, with Reynolds setting the tone through multiple assists, including a kill by Smith and Board. Despite a brief challenge from the Bobcats, the 'Fish responded with a decisive series of plays, highlighted by a service ace from Stokes, which helped widen the lead. Berry sealed the set with a final kill at 24-19, concluding the set 25-19 in favor of the Sailfish.
 
Match Two – PBA: 3, VSU: 1
 
The Sailfish defeated Valdosta St. 3-1 on Friday, clinching the victory with set scores of 29-27, 18-25, 25-15, and 25-23. A notable highlight was the 29-27 opening set win, setting the tone. The 'Fish recorded 62 kills and seven service aces to secure the road win.
 
Berry contributed significantly with 18 kills and 15 digs, leading the team in total points with 21.5. Stokes added 13 kills and dominated at the net with five total blocks. Reynolds facilitated the offense with 42 assists while also recording 14 digs. Patterson stood out defensively, amassing 27 digs over four games.
 
The first set unfolded with a competitive start as both teams exchanged early points, but the Sailfish gained an edge with a series of kills by Board and Rogers, pushing the score to 3-1. Reynolds facilitated the offense effectively, contributing multiple assists, including a critical sequence of three consecutive kills by Rachel Smith that helped build an 18-15 advantage. In the closing moments, the Blazers managed to draw even at 24-24, but the 'Fish responded with decisive kills from Stokes and Board, ultimately securing the set 29-27.
 
VSU surged to an early 5-0 lead in the second set, capitalizing on a series of plays including a kill by Avery Mullins and errors from the Sailfish. PBA rallied midway through the set with Berry and Stokes registering key kills, narrowing the score to 10-10 at one point. Despite this effort, the Blazers maintained control, closing the set with a 25-18 victory, aided by consistent offensive execution from Katie Callenberger.
 
The 'Fish took control early in the third set, with Sydney Corbett serving a key stretch that included four consecutive points, highlighted by kills from Berry and Reynolds, to build a 7-4 lead. Berry continued her strong performance, contributing multiple kills and a decisive service ace to extend the advantage to 22-15. Stokes and Board capped off the set with a block, and Berry finished with another service ace to secure a 25-15 victory, closing the set in commanding fashion.
 
The 'Fish started the fourth set strong with Board securing the first point with a kill assisted by Reynolds. Despite trailing 6-2 early due to a series of attack errors, the 'Fish rallied back as Berry and Smith delivered crucial kills, tightening the score. After VSU built a 19-13 lead, a late push led by Reynolds' assists helped the Sailfish to tie the score at 21-21, and Corbett's consecutive kills contributed to a decisive 25-23 set victory.