MELBOURNE, Fla. - Despite strong outings from Brooke Jackson and Nadia Rossi, the Lynn University volleyball team was unable to overcome Florida Tech's balanced attack, falling 3-0 (19-25, 21-25, 19-25) on Friday night in Sunshine State Conference action. The Fighting Knights showed resilience throughout the match, rallying late in each set, but the Panthers' defensive presence at the net proved to be the difference. With the loss, Lynn moves to 18-7 overall and 8-7 in SSC play
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1: Florida Tech, 25-19
- Lynn jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead behind a Rossi kill and an attack error by Florida Tech, but the Panthers quickly evened the score with efficient hitting from their outsides
- The teams traded points through the midpoint of the set as Jackson and Rossi kept the Fighting Knights within one, trailing just 12-11 after a service ace from Hope Passerello
- Florida Tech began to separate with a 9-7 run, using strong front-row defense and timely kills to push ahead 21-18, forcing a Lynn timeout
- Despite a late offensive push from Rossi and Jackson, the Panthers capitalized on a pair of service aces and a block to take the opening set, 25-19.
 
Set 2: Florida Tech. 25-21
- Florida Tech jumped out to a fast 6-1 lead, capitalizing on a pair of service aces and strong net play to put the Blue and White on its heels early
- The Fighting Knights clawed back with a 4-0 surge, highlighted by consecutive service aces from Jackson and a kill from Rossi, trimming the deficit to 10-7
- Lynn continued to battle behind another ace from Rossi and a balanced attack from Rossi, Jackson, and Laney Wilson, pulling within one at 20-21 before the Panthers called timeout
- Florida Tech closed strong out of the break, using back-to-back blocks to seal the 25-21 win and take a 2-0 match lead
 
Set 3: Florida Tech, 25-19
- Florida Tech carried its momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 6-2 advantage on a few Lynn mistakes
- Jackson and Rossi provided a spark for the Fighting Knights midway through the frame, helping Lynn close the gap to 9-7 with strong swings from the outside
- The Panthers responded with a 7-1 surge, fueled by aggressive serving and consistent play at the net, to take firm control at 18-10
- Despite late kills from Wilson and Alexia Radulovic, Florida Tech's offense proved too steady down the stretch as the Panthers clinched the set 25-19 to complete the straight-set victory
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Jackson led the Fighting Knights with nine kills, adding two service aces, seven digs, and one block assist for 11.5 total points
- Rossi matched Jackson's offensive pace with nine kills on a .200 hitting percentage, while adding one ace, two block assists, and three digs (11.0 points)
- Wilson chipped in four kills and two block assists, while Lillia Neill added two kills and a pair of block assists
- Radulovic contributed across the board with two kills, two service aces, two block assists, and three digs (5.0 points)
- Passerello posted 19 assists, three kills, and a service ace, while Clara Maidantchik and Rossi each added one ace from the service line
- Fabia Gonzalez Stanton led the defensive effort with five digs, while Haidyn Spano and Valentina Mogg combined for 13 digs off the bench
- As a team, Lynn totaled 37 kills, eight service aces, 10 total blocks, and 40 digs while hitting .054 across the match


UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights close out their three-game SSC road-trip in Daytona Beach on Saturday as Lynn takes on Embry-Riddle at 4:00 p.m.