Panthers Lose a Heartbreaker to No. 11 Florida Southern

MELBOURNE, Fla. – (Volleyball) Florida Tech volleyball played a great match Wednesday night against national caliber Florida Southern, but fell short 3-2
(31-29, 30-24, 21-30, 24-30, 10-15).

Leading the way for the Panthers was Frankie Brown with 19 kills, Marcela Vasconcelos with 30 assists, and Amy
O’Brien with 18 digs. Brown and Sacha Gumbs added four blocks each.

Top play makers for the Mocs included Anna Greenwood and Beverly Stasis with 18 kills each, Elise Burke with 67 assists and Daryl Baby with 25 digs. Maggie
Drumm also added five blocks.

Tech scored three quick points in game one, but the Mocs struck back and took over the lead by as many as six. The rest of the game had the Panthers
catching up and the Mocs widening the gap again. In the end, the Panthers pulled it out 31-29. Florida Tech got a strong start in game two which grew into
a commanding lead by as many as 10 points. Florida Southern chipped their way back in, but it was too little, too late as the Panthers took game two 30-24.

After an eight-minute intermission, the Mocs came back with a vengeance in game three, dominating the attack line .262 to .043 and minimizing their service
errors. The Panthers made it a two-point game in the early 20s, but it wasn’t enough as the Mocs held on to stay alive and win 30-21. It was same
story, different chapter in game four. This time Tech came back and only trailed by two mid-way through the game. The Mocs got a surge of momentum,
however, as they regained control and tied the match at two a piece with a score of 30-24.

Southern got three quick points at the start of the fifth and deciding game. The Panthers took the lead at six, but the Mocs reclaimed control and never
looked back as they won 15-10.

The Panthers will be on the road this weekend as they face No. 1 Tampa Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., and Eckerd Saturday, Oct. 27, at 4 p.m.