WEST PALM BEACH, FL. - Despite double-double showings from Diana Akopova and Varvara Osychenko on Friday afternoon, the 22nd-ranked Barry University volleyball team kicked off Sunshine State Conference play with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18) setback at Palm Beach Atlantic

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:

Final: Palm Beach Atlantic 3, Barry 1,  
Records: Barry (3-4, 0-1 SSC), PBA (5-3, 1-0 SSC)
All-Time Series: PB leads 20-15

SUMMARY:

• Set 1 - After splitting the opening 30 points of the contest with the lead changing hands five times during the stretch, Barry used a 5-0 run to take a 20-15 lead. PBA cut the separation down to three at 24-21 before the Bucs ended the set.
• Set 2 - Barry scored six of the initial 10 points of the second set to take an early lead before a 4-0 Palm Beach run flipped the advantage in their favor at 8-6. The Bucs knotted the score at 10-all, only for a 6-1 stretch for PBA creating a 16-11 score with the host keeping the separation above three for the duration of the stanza.
• Set 3 - PBA responded to a 4-0 start by Barry with a 10-0 run to take the lead and held onto it for the rest of the third set.
• Set 4 - Barry jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage and kept the lead until a pair of 4-0 runs by PBA sandwiching a Bucs point created a 15-11 score. The Buccaneers rallied to get within two at 18-16, only for a 7-2 stretch by the host ended the contest.

NOTEWORTHY:

• Akopova led all players with 17 kills on top of 11 digs, two assisted blocks and a service ace.
• Osychenko tallied a game-best 14 digs with 14 kills while serving three aces and adding a solo block and assisted block.
• Ana Perez chipped in 10 digs.
• Thalia Iglesias dished out 32 assists.
• Jeyhlen Thomas assisted on four blocks.
• Marina Azevedo added four assisted blocks.
• Both sides recorded 47 kills.
• Barry held a 52-50 advantage on digs.

ON THE HORIZON:

The Buccaneers travel to Nova Southeastern on Saturday, Sept. 16 for a 4 p.m. SSC tilt.