Boston College volleyball, searching for a redemption win after falling to Georgia Tech, came into Friday’s game against Florida State with high hopes and high intensity. But the Seminoles had a similar plan as well as momentum on their side, as Florida State looked to expand its win streak to three.
BC’s trip to Tallahassee ended in defeat, as the Eagles (13–12, 3–8 Atlantic Coast) were swept in three sets by the Seminoles (15–5, 8–3).
The two teams came out fighting early in the first set. After lots of back-and-forth play, BC outside hitter Katrina Jensen propelled the momentum in the Eagles’ favor in the middle of the first set when she found herself on a four-point serving streak. While Jensen was behind the line, the Eagles took the lead for the first time in the game at 12–8.
Even down by four, the Seminoles did not give up their intensity. Libero Caroline Golden went on a serving streak of her own and helped her team reclaim the lead. The Eagles tried to shut down the Florida State offense, but setter Lily Tessier continued to feed her hitters as the Seminoles’ offense racked up kills and began to kick it in gear.
The Eagles fought to the end with the Seminoles only trailing by a few points but dropped the first set 25–20.
In an effort to spark some momentum, the Eagles came out in the second set looking to limit their errors. After Florida State took an early second-set lead, the Eagles began to ignite their offense, and setter Grace Penn began to connect with her hitters.
Middle blocker Amaka Chukwujekwu asserted her net presence as she began to tally up kills in the second set and help keep her team in it. She led the team in kills on the night with seven as well as two blocks in crucial moments.
BC libero Anna Murphy was evidence of the hustle present among both teams throughout the game. With an outstanding 12 digs, Murphy helped control the Eagles’ defense and made huge efforts to shut down the prolific offense that Florida State was throwing BC’s way.
The Eagles continued to fight their way through the set from behind but could slowly feel it slipping from their fingers. Near the end of the second, the Seminoles were unstoppable. With a service error by Murphy, the Eagles dropped another set to the Seminoles 25–16.
In order not to repeat history of their last matchup with Georgia Tech—which the Eagles dropped in straight sets—BC needed a win. But up two sets to none, the Seminoles held the power and energy in Tully Gymnasium and continued to control the game.
After again failing to take the lead early on, BC tried everything it could, hoping to fight its way to a fourth set. The team could not find its rhythm, and as the Eagles’ error count hit nine, the Seminoles began to capitalize on the Eagles’ misfortunes and dominated the score.
The momentum was in Florida State’s hands, and after putting up a good fight in the third, it was still not enough for the Eagles. The Eagles lost the third set 25–15 to return to Chestnut Hill with another tally in the loss column.
Featured Image by Aditya Rao / Heights Staff
