MIAMI SHORES, FL. – It took the Buccaneers eight games before they dropped their first set of the season.

On day two of the 2018 Barry University Classic, the Bucs defeated the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals (6-1) in straight sets during the early game, but during the final match of the tournament, the Bucs dropped the first set against the University of Bridgeport Purple Knights (2-3), 25-22. Then, the Bucs erupted immediately in the second set and jumped right on the Purple Knights. Barry's lead ballooned quickly to 16-2, leaving UB wondering what had just hit them. Buccaneers head coach Steve Hendricks wasn't worried about how his team would handle the adversity, despite having won the previous 21 sets this year. "It's important that we build our mental toughness when we're tired," Hendricks said."No matter the opponent, we have to show up and play well." 

On Friday, September 7th, Buccaneers will travel to Fort Lauderdale and take on Nova Southeastern (2-5) for the 2018 Sunshine State Conference Opener. "I feel good about going into SSC play. We have eight wins and confidence under our belt," Hendricks said. "This weekend was good preparation heading into conference play, but Nova, no matter what the records are, it is always a battle."

Kishara Gordon was dominant up front for the Bucs during the Barry Classic. The Stouffville, Ontario native had 40 kills on 67 attempts with six errors and posted a .507 hitting percentage. Gordon is aware that even though the team is playing well, there is still room for improvement with conference play on the horizon. "Against Bridgeport, we thought it would be an easy win only because we haven't lost yet," Gordon said. "We were just expecting for it to come to us. It's never going to be like that. We're always going to go five sets during conference play." Gordon added.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:

Game One Final: Barry 3, Saginaw Valley State 0
Game Two Final: Barry 3, Bridgeport 0
Records: Barry (8-0), Saginaw Valley State (6-1); Bridgeport (2-3)
All-Time Series: Barry is 1-1 against Saginaw Valley State and Bridgeport

SUMMARY:
Game one

• 1st set | This set was the toughest anyone has played the Bucs so far in the season. Barry found themselves down 4-8 which led to a timeout by Hendricks. After letting the Cardinals lead increase to 4-10, the Bucs went on a 7-1 run, blocking three SVSU shots. The 22 points are the most any opponent has scored on Barry this season.
• 2nd set | The service game of the Cardinals gave Barry all they could handle in this set. SVSU punched-out three aces, forcing the Buccaneers' coaching staff to adjust for the remainder of the match. Gabriela Jansen recorded seven of her 12 digs in this set, along with three kills and a block.
• 3rd set | The Bucs matched their block total from the first set with three in this set as well. Add a set-high 21 digs, and Barry continues to keep the defensive effort during the third set at an elite level. Whether or not the coaching staff has made this an emphasis, the numbers prove that the Bucs are putting teams away late in the match with their stellar defense. 

Game two

• 1st set | The Bucs dropped their first set of the season despite their offense thriving with a hitting percentage of .319. They even managed to tally up 32 digs. Barry allowed the Purple Knights to tee-away without the presence of blockers set up early at the net.
• 2nd set | Barry responded to that call immediately and totaled six team blocks in this set. Junior Megi Buviníc led the way with all three of her blocks coming in this set. Audren Rose's serve gave the Purple Knights fits, she came away with three of her four aces in this set. 
• 3rd set | Kristina Filimonova and Jansen got involved offensively with five kills each and only one error between the two in 15 attempts. 
• 4th set |  Gordon finished off the Purple Knights with three kills on four attempts, one error and a block. 

NOTEWORTHY:.

• Barry has recorded a hitting percentage over .200 in each of their first  eight games this season.
• Bianca Paşca set a single-game high this season with 40 assists against Saginaw Valley.
• The Bucs had four players reach double-digit kills in a game for the first time this season against Bridgeport. 
• Rose had 27 digs against Bridgeport. That is a season-high for a single-game.
• Gordon has 59 kills with eight errors and is hitting .495 this season.
• The Bucs are 8-0 for the first time since the 1994 season.

ON THE HORIZON:

The Buccaneers return to action when they open up conference play on Friday, September 7th against Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Barry is 36-8 all-time against the Sharks.