No. 23 New College of Florida Volleyball earned a five-set victory over Ave Maria University on Saturday afternoon at the Tom Golisano Field House.
The Mighty Banyans recovered from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the Gyrenes 25-19, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-12 and complete the regular season sweep of Ave.
NCF improved to 14-4 overall and 6-2 in Sun Conference play with the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
NCF delivered a nearly flawless offensive performance in the opening set, recording 12 kills without an attacking error to hit .500. The Mighty Banyans pulled away for a 25-19 victory.
The second set featured 11 ties and seven lead changes. Ave Maria emerged from the back-and-forth frame with a 25-20 victory to even the match.
The Gyrenes carried the momentum into the third set, recording 15 kills and holding NCF to a .089 hitting percentage during another 25-20 victory.
Facing defeat, the Mighty Banyans regained control in the fourth set. NCF forced nine attacking errors and held Ave Maria to a .062 hitting percentage, earning a 25-18 victory to extend the match.
The fifth set featured four ties, but NCF never surrendered the lead. The Mighty Banyans recorded nine kills and closed out the Gyrenes 15-12 to secure the road victory.
Wiktoria Telecka led NCF with 17 kills, three service aces and two blocks, finishing with a team-high 21 points.
Freshman Stephanie Harrison recorded a young career-high 10 kills while hitting .250. Madison Goin added 10 kills, eight digs and two service aces.
Soraya Nacero collected a career-high 36 digs while adding four service aces, three kills and two blocks. Addison Phillippe recorded a double-double with 30 assists and 12 digs, while Valentina Bozzato contributed 17 assists.
Cecilia Soragna led the Mighty Banyans with four blocks while adding four kills.
THE TURNING POINT
Trailing 2-1 in the match, NCF responded by holding Ave Maria to nine attacking errors and a .062 hitting percentage during a 25-18 fourth-set victory.
The Mighty Banyans carried that momentum into the deciding frame, taking the opening lead and never falling behind during the 15-12 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
36
Career-high digs recorded by Nacero.
10
Career-high kills collected by Harrison.
94
Team digs recorded by the Mighty Banyans.
11
Service aces collected by NCF.
2-0
NCF's record against Ave Maria during the regular season.
MATCH STAT LEADERS
Kills: Wiktoria Telecka - 17
Assists: Addison Phillippe - 30
Digs: Soraya Nacero - 36
Service Aces: Soraya Nacero - 4
Total Blocks: Cecilia Soragna - 4.0
Total Points: Wiktoria Telecka - 21.0
UP NEXT: NCF returns home Wednesday to host No. 15 Southeastern University at 4:15 p.m. at Bradenton Christian School.
