PENSACOLA, Fla. – Barry University volleyball knocked off No. 19 West Florida, 18-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-20 Friday at the South Region Crossover.
It was the Bucs’ best match of the season.
"It was a great win for the program and our team," Barry coach Steve Hendricks said. "Everyone contributed, and gave 100 percent effort on every point. (Assistant coach) Katie (McCrath) and I are proud of our players, and it's great for our confidence going into the second half of our season."
The Buccaneers (6-9) ended a four-match skid of their own, while snapping West Florida’s 25-set win streak in the process. Barry’s 27-25 victory in the second set signaled the end to the Argos’ run. West Florida (15-5) had won eight straight matches – all by 3-0 sweeps.
The Buccaneers led 16-13 in the third set on Ashley Carrero’s kill. Barry widened its lead to 23-18 on a kill by Laine Cielena, an Argos attack error and an ace by Ivana Didanovic. Cielena’s kill put it away as the Bucs took a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Bucs led 11-4 on Jayla Trombley’s kill in the fourth set. Back-to-back aces by Didanovic pushed the Buccaneers on top, 17-11. Carrero’s deep-court kill extended the Bucs lead to 20-11. West Florida closed to within 24-20, but Jenny Trinidad’s kill iced it for the Buccaneers.
Cielena finished with a season-high 17 kills, while hitting .424 and coming up with four block assists. Trombley had 14 kills, two aces and two blocks. Carrero had 12 kills and 12 digs. It marked the first time this year the Bucs had three players with double-digit kills.
Barry had 11 aces to West Florida's six. It marked the sixth time the Bucs have outserved their opponent this year. Barry, which entered the weekend ranked No. 61 in the country in aces per set, ripped off 28 aces in Friday's two matches. The Bucs lost the first match of the Crossover in five sets to Christian Brothers.
Mariana Ruiz had three aces, and Didanovic four against the Argos, who picked up 11 kills from Lindsay Homme and 10 from Sarah Scott.
Trinidad had a career-high 46 assists, which is the most by a Barry setter this year. Jasmine Serna had 20 of the Bucs’ 64 digs.
The Buccaneers hit .202. The Argos had a .228 attack percentage. Barry converted 52 percent of its sideout opportunities, making good on 14 of 21 in the second set.
Barry continues play in the Crossover with a 10:30 a.m. match against Valdosta State on Saturday. The Bucs conclude the four-match weekend versus North Alabama at 5:15 p.m. Follow those matches via LIVE STATS.