Miami Shores, Fla. - In a return to form for the reigning NCAA Division II Player of the Year on Friday evening, Diana Akopova boasted 18 kills for the Barry University volleyball team on a .533 hitting percentage with eight digs, five service aces and four total blocks in a 3-0 (25-19, 26-24, 25-19) victory over Rollins in Sunshine State Conference play.

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:

Final: Barry 3, Rollins 0
Records: Barry (9-15, 3-12 SSC), Rollins (14-11, 6-8 SSC)
All-Time Series: Barry leads 32-19

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Set 1 -Barry used a 5-0 run early in the opening set to pull ahead 8-3, fending off a Rollins' rally that got them within three at 15-12 with a 5-1 stretch to boast a 20-13 advantage.
• Set 2 - Facing a set-high four-point separation at 19-15, the Bucs rallied behind a 6-2 stretch to knot the score at 21-21 before forcing set point at 24-23 and again at 25-24.
• Set 3 - Barry responded to an early 4-0 run by Rollins that pushed them ahead 7-4 with a 7-1 stretch to flip the advantage at 11-8 and maintained the lead for the rest of the frame.

NOTEWORTHY:

• Akopova led Barry in kills,digs and service aces.
• Varvara Osychenko chipped in 14 kills.
• Thalia Iglesias dished out 18 assists.
• Jeyhlen Thomas finished with three assisted blocks and two solo blocks.
• The Bucs' .410 hitting percentage is their most in a conference game this season.
• Barry held a 7-2 advantage in aces, 9-5 in blocks and 38-28 in digs.

ON THE HORIZON:

The Buccaneers host Florida Tech on Saturday, Nov. 4 with first serve set for 4 p.m.