TAMPA, Fla. -- Sixth-seeded West Florida defeated No. 3 seed Eckerd 3-2 (25-21,25-17,9-25,23-25,15-13) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA South Regional on Thursday.
West Florida (27-7) took the first set despite a .083 team attacking percentage. Senior Abby Timmer had two kills on three attacks in the first set off a pair of set attacks.
“I think it keeps the block honest,” Timmer said. “It was a focus that we would use my height and use me as an attacker after transitioning to a setter.”
The Argonauts continued the momentum in the second set as UWF took the set. West Florida used a .250 team attacking percentage behind junior Sarah Scott’s three kills. Eckerd responded in a big way in the third set as the Tritons took the set.
Eckerd kept the momentum going in the fourth set to win.
Down 5-1 in the fifth set, West Florida would go on an impressive 9-1 run to take over the momentum in the match and force Eckerd into a timeout. UWF went on win the final set.
West Florida was led offensively by 2013 GSC Player of the Year Lindsay Homme, who tallied 11 kills at a .303 clip in the win. GSC first-team selection Scott added eight kills and five blocks while senior Jenny Bellairs tallied six kills.
UWF sophomore Coleen Starrs led the team with 22 digs while senior Sierra Hansen had a team-high 21 assists.
West Florida will face either the-No. 2 seed Palm Beach Atlantic or the No. 7-seed Rollins in semifinals of the NCAA South Regional tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET.
