FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – The American International College women's volleyball team made a statement on Saturday, September 3, winning 3-1 over No. 23 Nova Southeastern University at the NSU Shark Invitational to win the tournament. The victory marks AIC's first win against a nationally-ranked opponent in women's volleyball.
AIC improves to 6-1 on the season.
The first set was a tight battle, with a four-point run by AIC giving the Yellow Jackets a 19-18 lead as Aleksandra Ivanovic landing a kill and an ace to start the run. However, out of a timeout, the Sharks composted themselves, and scored seven of the next nine to win 25-21.
AIC gathered itself together and quickly took charge of the second set. Down 8-6, the Yellow Jackets went on a six-point run, and by the time the Sharks recorded their next kill, they trailed 17-11. AIC finished the set in style, with kills by Andrea Serra Rosa, Naomi Eckert Rivera, and Ivanovic to tie the match thanks to a 25-15 set score.
The Sharks took the third set's first two points, but AIC built to a 7-4 lead with a four-point run that included a pair of Amber Williams kills. The team maintained that lead until midway through the set, with four straight errors allowing the Sharks to tie the set at 15-15. It was still tied at 20-20 when AIC went on a run, taking the set's final five points with a finish by Paola Soto Burgos to close it out.
The Yellow Jackets had the Sharks cornered, and rolled out to a 10-5 lead, but the home side scored six straight to roar back into the match. The teams battled from there, and with the Sharks leading 14-12, it was AIC that started a huge run, beginning with a double block by Eckert Rivera and Ivanovic. AIC scored six of the next seven and eight of 10, spreading the offense around to get up 20-16. Two kills by the Sharks seemed to get them back on track, but a service error, a Soto Burgous ace, a Williams blokc, and a Kristina Peric kill put AIC on the brink of the match. The Sharks earned one more point to get within 24-19, but Peric finished the job, giving AIC the win 3-1.
"This tournament was such a great test for us. We saw a variety of playing styles that all challenged us in their own way. It was so great to see the entire roster rise to the occasion, culminating in a huge win against a nationally-ranked opponent," noted Director of Volleyball Matt Cribbin. He added, "I couldn't be more proud of the growth this team has seen over the past few weeks and I hope it continues as we go forward. Next weekend will be a great test against some of the best teams the East Region has to offer."
Eckert Rivera was named Tournament MVP. In the three matches, she collected 98 assists and 30 digs, adding three kills and four blocks for another impressive weekend. Soto Burgos, who collected 19 kills and a .320 attack percentage as well as five blocks, and Ivanovic, who had a team-best 25 kills and .465 attack percentage as well as seven blocks, earned All-Tournament honors along with Eckert Rivera. Of winning MVP, Eckert Rivera said "I am very honored and humbled; however, I consider this a team award because I couldn't have done it without my teammates."
The team will now head home and prepare for the International Volleyball Hall of Fame East Region Clash. The Yellow Jackets will host the six-team, two-day tournament on September 8-9 at the Butova Gymnasium. AIC will battle the University of Bridgeport and rematch the 2021 East Region Final with Daemen College on Friday before facing Molloy College and Saint Anselm College on Saturday.
Tickets are available for the tournament at www.aictix.com. Passes for each day are $5 and cover the six matches for that day.
