WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic volleyball team continued its winning ways at the Hyatt Place Bash at the Beach, taking on the University of Missouri-Saint Louis and Flagler College.
 
The Sailfish started the day with the Tritons, who were receiving votes in the AVCA top-25. After dropped the third set, the 'Fish bounced back with a strong showing in the fourth to clinch the match. PBA ended the tournament with a sweep over the Saints to move to a 10-1 overall record and extend its winning streak to nine. 
 
"A great way to cap off our first weekend at home," PBA head coach Jeff Huebner said. "We got incredible play from Kelsey Rogers, and Lexi Berry all weekend; while Grace [Reynolds] set an incredibly balanced offense to great success. 'Fish fans and family were amazing all weekend, along with PBA Honors and PBA History who all SHOWED OUT big time this weekend. We appreciate campus support so much. We are looking forward to conference play, the opportunity to play in the Conference of National Champions is not something we take lightly, and we are greatly looking forward to continuing to grow and develop."
 
The Sailfish begin conference play next weekend, traveling to the 2024 national champions and current No. 1 team in the country Lynn on Friday. The match in Boca Raton, Fla. is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Game One – PBA: 3, UMSL: 1
 
PBA defeated the UMSL in four sets on Saturday at Rubin Arena, 25-21, 26-24, 15-25, 25-18. The Sailfish capitalized on strong blocking, totaling 15 blocks compared to the Tritons' three. Missouri-St. Louis excelled at serving, recording 11 aces, but was unable to sustain momentum after winning the third set.
 
Grace Reynolds contributed significantly with 39 assists and added three service aces in four games. Harper Stokes led the blocking efforts with nine total blocks and tallied 15.5 points. Kelsey Rogers recorded 10 kills with a .400 hitting percentage and registered four blocks. Lexi Berry contributed defensively with 16 digs and added eight kills on a .320 hitting percentage.
 
The first set saw a closely contested battle, with the Sailfish securing a narrow victory at 25-21. Reynolds showcased her playmaking ability early, contributing multiple assists that led to key kills by Rachel Smith and Rogers, helping the home team maintain a slim lead. Stokes sealed the set with a decisive kill, capitalizing on a setup by Reynolds, after a series of crucial blocks from Berry and Stokes halted the visitors' late comeback attempt.
 
The second set began with a commanding start by the home team, the 'Fish, as they secured an early six-point streak featuring a crucial service ace by Reynolds and consecutive kills by Smith and Rogers. The Tritons fought back valiantly, narrowing the gap and eventually tying the score at 16-16, fueled by strategic plays from Alayna Santel and Lydia Hartman. However, the Sailfish regained control in a tense finish, with Berry delivering a decisive kill at 24-25, followed by a service ace to clinch the set 26-24, showcasing their resilience under pressure.
 
The third set began with Palm Beach Atlantic facing an early deficit as Missouri-St. Louis quickly took control, building a 6-1 lead behind Hannah Copeland's kill and a pair of service aces. Despite this strong start by the visitors, Palm Beach Atlantic responded with a series of defensive blocks from Stokes and Nae Jordan, narrowing the gap to 14-7. Brighten Sedmack contributed crucial points with a kill and a block, but Missouri-St. Louis maintained its lead to win the set 25-15, aided by Iyannah Jackson's kill and service ace to close the set.
 
In the fourth set, the 'Fish capitalized on a strong performance from Reynolds, who contributed significantly with multiple assists, including key setups for Rogers and Smith. At 7-7, a decisive block by Reynolds and Stokes shifted momentum, helping the Sailfish take a 10-8 lead. A late surge, emphasized by consecutive kills from Stokes and a service ace by Reynolds, sealed the set with a 25-18 victory.
 
Game Two – PBA: 3, FC: 0
 
The 'Fish swept Flagler in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, 25-21, on Saturday at Rubin Arena. The Sailfish capitalized on their strong attacking performance with 42 kills and a .270 hitting percentage. Flagler managed to stay close in the second set, but the 'Fish defense recorded 55 digs, effectively containing the visitors throughout the match.
 
Kelsey Rogers led the team with 12 kills, hitting a robust .632, while also contributing significantly on defense with five total blocks. Grace Reynolds facilitated the offense with 34 assists and added two blocks to her performance. Kaley Board recorded seven kills on 16 attempts, achieving a .375 hitting percentage. Harper Stokes added to the attacking effort with five kills and was involved in two blocks.
 
The first set began with a commanding start as Palm Beach Atlantic secured the first six points, highlighted by Rogers' early kill and a series of assists from Reynolds. FC managed to narrow the gap midway through the set, but the consistent offense from the Sailfish, led by Lexi Berry and Stokes, restored a comfortable lead. Despite a late push by the Saints, the decisive final kill by Rogers, assisted by Reynolds, clinched the set with a 25-21 advantage for the Sailfish.
 
The second set began with a strong start from the 'Fish, as Rachel Smith and Rogers capitalized on early errors from Flagler, jumping to a 4-0 lead. Reynolds showcased her playmaking abilities, assisting on multiple occasions, including a key kill by Berry and another by Sofia Augusto to extend the lead to 10-5. Despite a late surge by Flagler that tied the score at 18-18, Rogers delivered crucial kills, and Reynolds' service ace helped secure a 25-23 victory.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic began the third set with strategic substitutions, setting the stage for an engaging finale. After a brief early deficit, the 'Fish responded with a 4-point run, featuring an ace by Augusto and a kill from Smith, turning the score to 8-4. Reynolds displayed remarkable playmaking with multiple assists, including setting up key kills for Berry and Board, as the Sailfish stretched their lead to 16-11. Despite a brief rally from the Saints, Stokes delivered the decisive final point with a kill from Reynolds, concluding the set 25-21 in favor of the 'Fish.