DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Despite a balanced offensive effort and the return of Aline Olegario to the lineup, the Lynn University volleyball team fell in straight sets on the road at Embry-Riddle on Saturday evening. The Fighting Knights (18-8, 8-8 SSC) pushed the Eagles throughout the night, highlighted by a tightly contested opening frame and late rallies in each set, but ERAU's timely serving and efficient hitting proved the difference as Lynn dropped the match 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1: Embry-Riddle, 25-22
- Embry-Riddle struck first, taking advantage of an early Lynn service error, but the Fighting Knights quickly responded with kills from Olegario and Brooke Jackson to stay even at 5-5
- Alexia Radulovic provided a spark at the service line, delivering a pair aces as Lynn surged ahead 7-5
- The Eagles answered with a run of their own reclaiming the lead at 7-6 before the teams continued to trade points through a tightly contested middle stretch
- Lynn tied the frame multiple times, highlighted by key kills from Nadia Rossi, Olegario, and Radulovic, but ERAU capitalized on a flurry of kills and a service ace to pull ahead 24-20
- Olegario extended the set with a late kill, but the Eagles closed it out on a final kill from to take the opening frame, 25-22
 
Set 2: Embry-Riddle, 25-16
- Both teams traded blows early, with kills from Rossi, Radulovic and Jackson keeping Lynn level through a 6-6 opening stretch before Embry-Riddle found momentum behind strong swings from their outside hitters
- The Eagles seized control with a punishing service run, delivering three aces and forced multiple Lynn miscues to open a 13-10 lead and prompt a Fighting Knights timeout
- Lynn looked to rally behind kills from Wilson and Olegario, and a timely service ace from Radulovic trimmed the deficit to 17-12, but ERAU responded immediately with another burst of scoring to push the lead to 22-13
- Despite a late ace from Valentina Mogg, the Eagles' offense remained in rhythm as Embry-Riddle secured the 25-16 win and a 2-0 match lead
 
Set 3: Embry-Riddle, 25-20
- Embry-Riddle grabbed the early momentum with a few early kills, followed by a pair of service aces 8-4 to force an early Lynn timeout
- Lynn answered with a steady stretch of offense, as  Jackson, Rossi, and Olegario chipped away at the deficit. A Jackson kill and a Hope Passerello service ace brought the Fighting Knights back within 14-12
- ERAU responded with another surge, using efficient swings to extend the lead to 18-13 before Lynn rallied again as Jackson and Olegario combined for back-to-back kills to close the gap to 17-16 and prompt an Eagles timeout
- The Eagles locked in during the final stretch, capitalizing on a service ace and several Lynn attack errors to create breathing room
- Despite late kills from Radulovic and Olegario, Embry-Riddle finished the frame with a decisive kill to secure the 25-20 set victory and complete the sweep
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Rossi powered the Lynn offense with a team-high 10 kills on a .233 hitting percentage, adding three digs and one block assist for 10.5 total points
- Olegario, appearing in her first match since October 4, made an immediate impact with 7 kills on .158 hitting and added 1 dig and 1 reception for 7.0 points
- Jackson delivered a balanced performance with 7 kills, 7 digs, and a block assist, while contributing 1 assist and 1 service error for 7.0 total points
- Wilson added 5 kills while hitting .235, and posted 3 total blocks (1 solo, 2 assists) to finish with 7.0 points
- Radulovic was efficient at the pin, finishing with 6 kills on a team-best .385 hitting percentage, while adding 3 service aces and 5 digs for 9.0 total points
- Passerello paced the offense with 27 assists, adding 2 kills, 1 ace, and 10 digs for 3.5 points
- Clara Maidantchik and Fabia Gonzalez Stanton anchored the back row with 2 and 8 digs, respectively, while Haidyn Spano chipped in 7 digs to support Lynn's defensive effort
- Mogg contributed from the service line with 1 ace, while Zara Rendic added one reception
- As a team, Lynn totaled 37 kills, 5 aces, 4 total blocks, and 43 digs, hitting .181 across the match

UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights return home for their final home stand of the regular season, hosting Florida Southern in the de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.