Hempstead, NY – The Hofstra Volleyball team rallied from two sets down to defeat Florida Gulf Coast in five sets on Saturday afternoon in action at the Hofstra/Asics Invitational at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center.
Hofstra won by scores of 24-26, 18-25, 25-19, 26-24 and 15-9. It marked the Pride's first comeback from a 2-0 deficit since September 24, 2011 when Hofstra rallied for a five-set win over Northeastern.
Four players had double figure kills for the Pride with freshman outside hitter
Nanishka Perez leading the way with a season-high 20. Also in double figures was junior outside hitter
Veronika Kostova (19), freshman middle blocker
Michela Rucli (13) and sophomore middle blocker
Leticia Valente (13). It was a tremendous showing for Rucli who committed no attack errors to account for a .565 attack percentage, while also tallying five blocks as well.
The match featured 36 tie scores and 12 lead changes throughout and Hofstra would finally take control in the fifth set with a stunning rally. Down 7-3 in the shortened fifth set, the Pride rattled off eight consecutive points to open up an 11-7 lead en route to the six-point win.
Senior libero
Corrina Delgadillo had a match-high 24 digs for Hofstra, which also got a career-best 65 assists from junior setter
Hannah Klemm.
Hofstra also got a solid outing out of sophomore right side
Brianna Montgomery who tallied eight kills and eight digs.
Eleonora Kazarian had 18 kills and eight blocks for the Eagles, while Amanda Carroll had 11 kills and 11 digs for Florida Gulf Coast.
Hofstra closes play at the Hofstra/Asics Invitational with a 7:30 p.m. match against former America East rival Hartford. The Pride will unveil its 2014 NCAA Tournament banner prior to the contest.
NOTES- Today marked the first-ever meeting between Hofstra and Florida Gulf Coast.
- The five-set match was Hofstra's third of the season and the Pride's first win in a match that went the distance.
- The five-set win was Hofstra's first in either the Hofstra/Asics Invitational or Hofstra Invitational since defeating Siena in five on August 31, 2012.
