Sharks Fall in Five-Set Heartbreaker at NCAA Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks Volleyball team saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion, as they dropped their match in five-sets (25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 26-28, 9-15) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the Barry Buccaneers. The Sharks finish their season with a 19-12 record and advanced to the national tournament for the second consecutive season.  

INSIDE THE MATCH 

Score: No. 6 Nova Southeastern 2, No. 3 Barry 3 

Records: No. 6 Nova Southeastern 19-12, 12-8 SSC; No. 3 Barry 26-5, 16-4 SSC 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.  

Get Social: Instagram – NSU_VBall | Twitter – NSU_B | Facebook – Nova Southeastern University Volleyball 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • Nova Southeastern began the match with a 3-0 run in the first set, getting points from Preslee Brooksbank and Kate Mihacevich.  

  • With the set tied at 9-9, Mihacevich sparked a five-point rally by the Sharks, putting NSU ahead 14-9.  

  • Late in the opening set, NSU maintained a five-point advantage at 22-17.  

  • Nova Southeastern closed the set victory, with a kill from Mihacevich and a service ace from Bruna Avila, taking the first set 25-20.  

  • After trailing early in the second set, Nova Southeastern rallied to tie the score at 11-11.  

  • The Sharks continued to battle throughout the set, but fell 20-25 to Barry, tying the set at 1-1.  

  • In the third set, Olivia Aniol, Avila, and Mihacevich each recorded a kill to give NSU an early 3-1 lead.  

  • Barry cut the Sharks lead to 8-7, but Taylor Stockman started a 4-0 rally by Nova Southeastern, which was capped by an Aleyna Kennel service ace, putting the score at 12-7.  

  • Mihacevich took over the set for the Sharks, recording a kill and a pair of service aces, as NSU extended its lead to 22-14.  

  • Nova Southeastern took a 2-1 lead in the NCAA Tournament first round, winning the third set 25-18.  

  • NSU trailed 5-1 early in the fourth set, but the Sharks rallied back and cut the Bucs lead to 8-7.  

  • Avila added a kill to put the score at 13-12, as NSU continued its comeback efforts.  

  • Later in the set, Aniol recorded back-to-back kills, while Grace Green added a service ace, as the Sharks came back to put the score at 22-21.  

  • Two consecutive kills from Avila and Stockman tied the fourth set at 25-25; However, Barry scored the final three points to take the fourth set 28-25.  

  • In the fifth set, Nova Southeastern continued to battle with Barry, but the effort fell short. The Sharks season ended after NSU fell 15-9 in the final set.  

Nova Southeastern Volleyball, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, concluded their 2022 season on Friday evening. The Sharks finish the year with a 19-12 record, advancing to the the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.  

To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball throughout the off-season, be sure to follow NSU on Instagram at NSU_VBall and Twitter at NSU_VB.  

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