Tech Falls Hard In Final Match of the Year

Tech Seniors Go Out In Style Despote the Loss: Kelly, Tash and Jenny Thanks For The Memories

FT.LAUDERDALE, Fla.-The Florida Tech Panthers (9-24, 4-12) were edged by the Nova Southeastern Sharks (6-19, 2-13) in their final match of the season 3-2
in a battle till the end. Despite the loss, The Panthers still finish ahead of the Sharks in the final SSC standings. The Sharks started off hot during
their senior send-off night taking set one 23-30 only to retreat in the second and third sets 30-22 and 30-21. Despite the comeback, the Panthers were
unable to hold on to the lead crumbling in the final two games 23-30 and 9-15.

NSU freshman Melinda Gorman (Sarasota, Fla.) had a career and team-high performance for the evening as she led the Lady Sharks with her first double-double
of her career with 16 kills (career-high), and 11 digs, while also notching six service aces (team-high). Fellow freshman Christina Chubb (Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla.) notched 14 kills and four blocks, while Karla Ortiz (Jr., San Juan, Puerto Rico) and Emily Carle (Fr., Missouri City, Texas) finished with 10 apiece.
Carle and senior Lauren Thomas (Rockford, Ill.) both finished with five blocks apiece. Setter Jenny Fitch (Jr., Batavia, Ill.) registered 49 assists, three
service aces and two blocks.

Senior outside hitter Jenny Hart (Clermont, Fla.) led the way for the Panthers as she notched 23 kills, 18 digs and four service aces. Fellow senior middle
hitter Kelly Currin (Waynesville, Ohio) finished the evening with 11 kills, while setter/outside hitter Amanda Boyce (Madison, Wis.) and junior middle
hitter Jenny McCoy (Titusville, Fla.) rounded out the scoring with 10 apiece. Boyce also notched her third and final triple double of the season adding 26
assists and 17 digs. McCoy had her team high three blocks patrolling the net. Junior libero Megan Konopnicki (Plano, Texas) finished with 18 digs and 33
service receptions.

Senior setter Natasha Bender (Columbus, Neb.) pitched in 20 assists, nine digs and dumped a perfect .500 attack percentage for the night. The final Panther
reaching double figures was sophomore defensive specialist Katie Dobek (Sterling Heights, Mich.) tallied 11 digs.

Game four was a different story for the Lady Sharks, as NSU jumped out to an early 11-4 lead. NSU continued to widen the gap as they lead mid-way through
by as much as 11 points. However, the Panthers would not give up as they closed the gap to within seven on a rally by five serves from Konopnicki. Not
willing to let go, the Lady Sharks rallied back to close out game four and send the match into five games with a 30-23 decision.

With the score tied at three apiece, NSU rallied on a 9-0 run, sparked by kills from Gorman, Ortiz, Chubb and Andrea Irarrazabal (Fr., Pembroke Pines,
Fla.) to take a 12-3 lead. The Panthers tried to come back, but NSU closed out the match 15-9 to capture its second conference win of the season.

Senior members Hart, Currin and Bender finished off their careers breaking numerous records and all are members of the 1,000 club. Currin finished up with
1,053 kills and 339 blocks, Hart managed to break 1,500 in digs with a final tally of 1,520 for her career and added 142 service aces and 756 kills while
Bender hit 1,300 assists in her final match and 718 digs.