MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Barry University's volleyball team bounced back after dropping the first set to sweep the next three in a 22-25, 25-16, 26-19, 25-21 win at Florida Tech.
The win improved the Buccaneers record to 14-11, 8-7 in the Sunshine State Conference. Barry will close the season at Florida Southern 4 p.m. Saturday. Barry is ranked No. 9 in the South Region.
"We played some of our best volleyball of the season," Buccaneers head coach
Steve Hendricks said. "Four seniors fought for their teammates, and to keep the season going into tomorrow afternoon."
The Bucs hit .323 in the second set, committing just two attack errors to even the match at 1-1. Barry converted 12 of 16 sideouts in the set. Florida Tech (13-15, 4-12) was held to .083 hitting while converting 47 percent of its sideouts.Â
Barry put away 17 balls in the third set and 18 more in the fourth to sweep the season series from the Panthers, who hit .138 in the match. The Buccaneers hit .231. The Bucs outblocked Florida Tech, 9-5. Barry had five aces to Florida Tech's two.
Jasmine Serna had 44 assists, two aces and 13 digs, giving Barrry's offense a free flowing attack as three players reach double-digit kills. Serna eclipsed 600 assists for the season. Since taking over the setting duties the last two weeks, she's averaged 50 assists per match and 12.5 assists per set.
"Jasmine set a great match," Hendricks said. "She had very smart decision making."
Kaitlin Drake had 18 kills and 13 digs, running her season total to 319 kills. She is the first hitter in four years to exceed 300 kills.
Laine Cielena had 14 kills and five blocks, hitting .333.
Ivana Didanovic had 15 kills and three blocks, while putting together a .351 attack rate.
Brittany Jaco had 24 digs, moving with 17 of the school's season record.
Kat Espinosa had 18 digs.
Katie Dooley had six kills and five blocks.
The Bucs and Panthers battled through 26 ties and 11 lead changes. Barry improved to 7-5 in four-set matches. The Bucs secured their second straight winning season, and the third in Hendricks' five years.