TAMPA, Fla. - Lynn volleyball saw its postseason run come to a close on Friday afternoon, falling to Sunshine State Conference rival Barry in straight sets (25-18, 25-21, 25-21) in the second round of the NCAA South Regional at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center in Tampa. The Fighting Knights competed point-for-point throughout each frame and showcased balanced offensive production, but the Buccaneers used timely service runs and late-set execution to pull away and secure the postseason victory
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1: Barry, 25-18
- The opening set featured back-and-forth action early, as Brooke Jackson, Zara Rendic, and Lillia Neill each found the floor to keep the score tight through the opening points
- After trading leads into the middle of the set, Barry began to gain momentum behind efficient attacking and pressure from the service line, creating separation with a 5-2 run to move in front 9-6
- Lynn answered with consecutive kills from Jackson to briefly pull even at 9-9, but the Buccaneers quickly responded with a strong offensive push to reclaim control
- Barry extended the lead behind timely substitutions and steady serving, including back-to-back service aces that pushed the margin to 18-14 and forced a Lynn timeout
- Despite late kills from Nadia Rossi and a service ace from Rendic, Barry closed the set with sustained pressure, finishing on a decisive run capped by a service ace to secure the opening set, 25-18
 
Set 2: Barry, 25-21
- The second set opened with steady back-and-forth play, as Neill and Alexia Radulovic supplied early offense for Lynn to keep the score level through the opening exchanges
- Neither side was able to create separation through the middle of the set, with Jackson, Rendic, and Rossi answering Barry kills as the score remained tight into double digits
- Barry began to edge ahead behind strong play from its outsides using a late service run and efficient attacking to move in front 20-18 and force a Blue and White timeout
- The Fighting Knights battled to stay within reach, highlighted by a key kill from Laney Wilson and continued production from Radulovic at the net
- In the closing stretch, Barry capitalized on service pressure and a pair of late points at the net to close out the set, 25-21, taking a 2-0 lead in the match
 
Set 3: Barry, 25-21
- Barry struck first in the third set, using early blocking and a service ace to create initial separation, but Lynn answered behind kills from Neill and Radulovic to stay within one
- The Fighting Knights found momentum midway through the set as Ula Gorjup delivered a service ace followed by consecutive points from Jackson to give Lynn an 11-9 edge and force a Barry timeout
- Lynn continued to battle out of the stoppage, but a brief run of service pressure and contested swings allowed Barry to regain the advantage and move back in front during the middle stretch of the set
- Despite late pushes from Rossi and Wilson, the Buccaneers closed the frame strong, capitalizing on late service pressure and a key block to build set point
- Lynn fought to the final points, but Barry closed the set late to secure a 25-21 decision, ultimately ending the Fighting Knights' postseason run in the NCAA South Regional
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
Vs. Barry
- Lynn concluded its season with a 22–10 overall record following a three-set match against Barry in the NCAA South Regional Second Round
- The Fighting Knights recorded 43 kills on the night, hitting .272 as a team across three sets
- Radulovic led Lynn offensively, posting nine kills on 15 swings while hitting an efficient .533 on the right side
- Jackson paced the attack with 10 kills and added two service aces, finishing with a team-high 12.5 points
- Neill (7 kills) and Rossi (7 kills) provided a balanced attack at the net for the Blue and White
- Gorjup directed the offense with 23 assists, while Hope Passerello chipped in 14 assists off the bench
- Lynn totaled six service aces in the match and matched Barry in several extended rallies before the Buccaneers pulled away late in each set
 
South Regional
- The Fighting Knights totaled 105 kills across eight sets, averaging 13.13 kills per set during regional play
- Lynn hit .222 as a team for the regional, nearly matching opponents while generating a +28 kill differential (105–77)
- Jackson led Lynn with 23 total kills (2.88 per set) while adding 23 digs and finishing with 26.5 points over two matches
- Rendic added 22 kills, six service aces, and 22 digs, posting a team-high 28.5 points during the regional run
- Radulovic contributed 19 kills on a .283 attack percentage, pairing with Neill (12 kills, four block assists) to anchor the net presence
- Gorjup orchestrated the offense with 56 assists (7.00 per set), helping Lynn average 12.75 assists per set over the two matches
- Lynn posted 13 service aces in the regional, highlighted by Rendic (6) and Jackson (2)
- Defensively, Clara Maidantchik led all players with 29 digs, while Lynn totaled 105 digs as a team (13.13 per set)