MELBOURNE, Fla. – Barry University’s volleyball team beat Florida Tech to snap a three-match skid Saturday, winning 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 15-4.
The Buccaneers (9-4, 2-2 Sunshine State Conference) went back-and-forth in a match it needed and pulled out a key league road win over the host Panthers (5-7, 0-4).
“It’s a great SSC road win for our team,” fourth-year Bucs head coach Steve Hendricks said. “We need to continue to build on it as we move further into the conference.”
Barry overcame a 2-1 deficit when it zipped to a 17-8 lead in the fourth set on a kill by Kristina Boncheva. Tashalyn Begon’s kill extended the Buccaneers’ lead to 20-10 before the Panthers put together a furious rally to storm back, drawing within 23-21. But an FIT attack error and Ivana Didanovic’s kill tied the match at 2-2.
In the decisive fifth set, Barry ran out to a 10-3 lead on two of Jenny Trinidad’s four aces. Trinidad served the Bucs to seven straight points. Begon’s kill and a Panthers attack error sent Barry home a winner.
Begon finished with 13 kills, 10 digs and four blocks. Jayla Trombley had nine kills and 10 digs. Laine Cielena had seven kills, hit .600 and had six blocks.
The Buccaneers hit .147, while Florida Tech was held to .092. FIT’s Kim Juriga had 13 kills, and Milli Tapuskovic 12.
Barry setter Jasmine Serna, who splits time with Trinidad running the offense, had 21 assists, two aces and 12 digs. Brittany Jaco had 24 digs and an ace. Trinidad had 14 assists and 13 digs.
The Bucs served nine aces, while the Panthers had three. Barry outblocked Florida Tech, 10-8. FIT gave away 15 points on service errors, and the Bucs committed 13.
“The team is playing with more heart and fight,” Hendricks said.
Eva Raat had six kills, and Didanovic and Boncheva each had five of the Buccaneers’ 45. Barry had 23 attack errors. Florida Tech had 31.
Barry converted on 80 percent of its second set sideout chances, going 16 of 20. The Bucs were 4 of 4 in the fifth set to finish 58 of 96 for 60 percent.
The Bucs will play Florida Southern and Saint Leo on the road next weekend.