MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- The #16 Barry University Buccaneers women's volleyball team defeated Embry-Riddle in straight sets (26-24) (25-19) (25-17) on Friday evening in Sunshine State Conference (SSC) action at the Health & Sports Center. The Bucs improve to 19-2 overall, and 10-1 in SSC play. Diana Akopova led the way with 24 kills in three sets; the sophomore outside hitter had 20 kills through two sets.

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:
Final: Barry 3, Embry-Riddle 0
Records: Barry (19-2, 10-1 SSC), Embry-Riddle (13-9, 4-7 SSC)
All-Time Series: Barry leads 10-4 after sweeping the season series. The Eagles had won both meetings in 2021.

SUMMARY:

• 1^st set | The Bucs had the largest lead (four points) on three different occasions, last at 17-13, but the Eagles fought back and took a 19-18 advantage before Diana Akopova registered successive kills to regain the lead. When Embry-Riddle earned a set-point opportunity at 24-23, Buccaneer head coach Leonid Yelin called a timeout. The ensuing play led to an Akopova kill from the right side to knot the score at 24-24 and two solo blocks from Christy Paul gave Barry the first set. | Barry 26, Embry-Riddle 24
• 2^nd set | Barry took the first two points with a kill from Akopova and a solo block from Jeyhlen Thomas. The Eagles responded with four straight points on kills from Jaden McBride (2) and Cameron Gilleland. Trailing 5-4, Marina Azevedo's kill started a 10-1 run for the hosts. Akopova had the service during that run which peaked with block assists from Paul and Marija Borcic. | Barry 25, Embry-Riddle 19
• 3^rd set | Borcic, Paul, and Djuly Schmorantz had kills during a 5-0 Barry run where the Bucs took the lead for good. Schmorantz had an ace during an 8-0 run with Barry enjoying its largest lead of the match (11 points; 17-6). Akopova had her 24th kill of the night to set up set point before an Eagle attack error finished the match. | Barry 25, Embry-Riddle 17

• Akopova totaled 24 kills on 54 swings and Schmorantz was next on the Bucs with nine kills.
• Akopova's kill total in three sets (24) ties for fifth all-time in school history with Sonia Gubaidulina (Central Missouri; 10/01/1995); three other Bucs share the top mark (25) for kills in three sets including twice for Mickisha Hurley who first accomplished the feat against UNC-Pembroke (11/05/1994) and a week later duplicated the effort with teammate Elvira Vakhidova (Florida Southern; 11/12/1994).
• Camilla Pagnan reached 25 kills in three sets most recently (Rollins; 09/29/2007).
• Click HERE for link to record book.
• Borcic totaled 36 assists.
• Paul (.600) and Azevedo (.417) were tops in hitting percentage.
• Schmorantz led all players with 18 digs, Luana Bulara had 11 and Mónica López had nine.
• Defensively, Paul (6) and Thomas (5) fronted the Bucs in blocks.

ON THE HORIZON:
The Bucs return home to play in conference foe Rollins College at the Health & Sports Center on Saturday, Oct. 22. First serve is set for 4:00 p.m.