Close, but No: Bethel Defeats Palm Beach Atlantic

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Playing in their third five game match in as many games, the Palm Beach Atlantic University volleyball team fell just short in their efforts against #2-seeded Bethel College, officially ending the 2007 season for the Sailfish.

Behind the strong hitting of middle-blocker Erica Bruxvoort among others, the Pilots jumped out to a 1-0 advantage as they took down PBA by a score of 30-24 in game number one and appeared to be headed toward an easy 3-0 match victory. The Sailfish however would not give up and evened things up with a 30-26 victory in game two before once again falling behind when the Pilots gained control with a 30-27 game three win.

Game four featured some of the longest and most incredible rallies one might imagine would take place in a National Tournament field as the Sailfish willed their way to a 31-29 victory, which forced yet another fifth game tie-breaker.

With both teams putting forth some positive run, the Pilots came away with the match victory and a spot in the NCCAA Final Four when Bruxvoort came away with her game-high 27th kill of the match, sending both the Pilots and their fans into sheer excitement, while the Sailfish had seen their season end on that final play.

Tonight's match featured two Sailfish seniors who played their final match wearing the blue and white. Ali Mitchell (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Bia Santos (Sao Paolo, Brazil), both team captains for the Fish, certainly went out with a bang. Santos registered a team-high 21 kills while Mitchell followed right behind with 20 kills. Both terrific all-around athletes, Mitchell tallied her second 30+ digs effort of the tournament with 30 while Santos chipped in 24 digs.

In and out of the lineup in the match due to sheer exhaustion, junior Brittany Erickson (La Mesa, Calif.) was the only other Sailfish player to reach double-figures in kills with 12.

Junior Emily Ryerson (Winter Springs, Fla.) and sophomore Jennifer Eldridge (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) both put forth solid performances as well as Ryerson collected 55 assists while Eldridge added in 21 digs in the losing effort.

After Bruxvoort and her 27 kills, the Pilots were led by the high-flying efforts of Stephanie Harwood with 19 kills and Christie Odreman with 13 kills. Setter Ashley Pagel tallied 58 assists in helping lead her team to victory while libero Marcia Poliquin chipped in 33 defensive digs.

Bethel College moves on the NCCAA Final Four which will begin tomorrow at 12:00 p.m.

PBA finishes their season with a final record of 16-18.