MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's volleyball team has made strides indeed. But after entering the intermission deadlocked with the 17th-ranked team in the country, the Bucs couldn't pull out a pivotal third set in Saturday's 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-18 loss to Palm Beach Atlantic in the home opener.

Barry (2-2) tied the match in the second set, despite its lowest hitting percentage of the match, but used some good defense -- as evidenced by 10 of Brittany Jaco's school-record 33 digs in a four-set match and a poor attacking set by the Sailfish (7-2). Nevertheless, the Bucs had this match squared at a set apiece entering the intermission with momentum on their side.

But PBA made a late push after Buccaneers newcomer Kaitlin Drake, who finished with 16 kills on 56 attempts, banged down a ball to get Barry within one, 22-21. The Sailfish won three of the next four points to take a 2-1 lead into the final set. Barry hit .325 in the third set, slamming home 18 kills against five errors in 40 attack opportunities. PBA hit .303 in the set.

Barry drew within 17-15 on a kill by Drake, but PBA's Stephany Brown put away a ball and two Bucs attack errors cushioned the Sailfish's lead to 20-15, and the Buccaneers couldn't recover. Palm Beach Atlantic converted 13 of 18 sideouts in the final set for 72 percent. Barry's best sideout percentage set was a 54 percent effort in the third set when it made good on 13 of 24 chances.

Ivana Didanovic had 12 kills and three blocks, while hitting .400. Eva Raat had 10 kills and two blocks. PBA's Faith Rohn had 13 kills, 18 digs and five block assists. Ally Rohn had 11 kills, 22 assists, seven digs and four block assists.

The Sailfish outblocked the Buccaneers, 16.5 to seven. PBA hit .200, while Barry had a .156 attack rate.

Jenny Trinidad, featured in a hitting capacity, had 31 assists, nine kills and eight digs. Jasmine Serna had 23 assists, 17 digs and an ace.  

The Buccaneers, in the midst of a four-match homestand, will host Saint Leo 7 p.m. Friday.