BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Lynn University volleyball team put up a spirited fight on Saturday afternoon but came up just short in a tightly contested 3-1 loss (22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 23-25) to Eckerd inside the de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center. Despite a strong all-around effort from Brooke Jackson, who tallied 17 kills and 16 digs, the Fighting Knights couldn't overcome the Tritons' late-set execution, falling to 18-5 overall and 8-5 in Sunshine State Conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1: Eckerd, 25-22
- Lynn came out strong, taking an early 9-8 edge behind kills from Alexia Radulovic and Brooke Jackson, plus a service ace from Ula Gorjup
- Eckerd responded with a 7-1 surge, using strong serving and a block at the net to swing momentum
- Jackson and Lillia Neill helped the Fighting Knights pull back within two late, forcing an Eckerd timeout at 24-22
- The Tritons closed the door with a decisive final kill, taking the opening frame 25-22
 
Set 2: Eckerd, 25-23
- Lynn jumped ahead 5-2 to start the set, fueled by a Nadia Rossi ace and kills from Laney Wilson and Radulovic
- Eckerd battled back with back-to-back aces, turning the tide to a 10-8 lead
- The Fighting Knights rallied behind Gorjup's steady setting and a service ace from Radulovic to even the score at 18-18
- Despite late kills from Rossi and Neill, Eckerd capitalized on a Lynn attack error to hold on 25-23 and take a 2-0 lead
 
Set 3: Lynn, 25-20
- Down 0-2, Lynn surged ahead early with two service aces from Radulovic and strong swings from Jackson and Wilson
- Valentina Mogg made an impact off the bench, adding key kills as the Fighting Knights extended their advantage to 17-14
- Gorjup kept the offense in rhythm with pinpoint assists, spreading the attack across the front line
- Jackson capped the set with a decisive kill, giving Lynn the 25-20 win to stay alive
 
Set 4: Eckerd, 25-23
- Lynn opened with a 3-0 burst highlighted by a Mogg service ace and a Jackson solo block to tie the set up early at 3-3
-  The two teams traded blows throughout, with Gorjup and Radulovic combining for key plays to tie things at 13-13
- Jackson continued to pace the offense with seven kills in the frame as Lynn battled to stay even late
- Eckerd used a final push to edge out the 25-23 win and clinch the 3-1 match victory
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Jackson powered the Lynn offense with a team-high 17 kills, adding 16 digs, two block assists, and a service ace for a match-best 20 total points
- Radulovic continued her strong play on the outside, finishing with eight kills on a .273 hitting percentage while leading the team with five service aces for 14.5 total points
- Mogg made a major impact off the bench, posting seven kills on .200 hitting, adding a service ace and eight points overall
- Neill and Wilson combined for 12 kills and three total blocks, with Neill contributing seven kills and Wilson five kills
- Gorjup turned in another all-around performance, dishing out 38 assists, adding five kills on a .400 clip, four aces, and nine digs for 10 total points
- Clara Maidantchik anchored the back row with a team-high 17 digs, while Fabia Gonzalez Stanton and Haidyn Spano each contributed 10+ digs to keep rallies alive
- Nadia Rossi chipped in four kills and a service ace before exiting after two sets
- As a team, Lynn totaled 53 kills, 12 service aces, and 76 digs, while hitting .180 overall in the four-set match
 
UP NEXT:
Lynn begins a three-game road trip on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when the Fighting Knights visit Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.