GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 19 Daytona State visited the SF Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon, and the Falcons were able to come away with a 3-1 result over Santa Fe College Volleyball, 25-13, 21-25, 25-22, 25-11.

It was the first matchup of the Fall 2021 season between the two sides. Although the last three meetings in the series were won by way of a Saints' sweep in 2020, the Falcons reversed the trend.  

Set 1 – DSC 25, SF 13

The Falcons raced out to an eight point lead, 13-5, and the gap only grew as the set wore on in the 25-13 result for the guests.

Set 2 – SF 25, DSC 21

Neither side could get much separation from the other in Set 2, until the Saints broke an 18-18 tie with three straight points. Nicole DePaula had a kill to make it 21-18, forcing a Daytona State timeout.

The run was extended to four out of the team huddles, and the Saints eventually went on to draw even at 1-1 with a kill from Katelyn Crofts.

Set 3 – DSC 25, SF 22

The third set would prove to be critical in the match's outcome. SF trailed 17-10, then called a timeout. Adjustments were made and the Saints impressively rattled off eight straight points to seize an 18-17 lead, bookended by another kill from DePaula.

Santa Fe's lead held at two, 22-20, after a putaway from Paige Dinges.

The Falcons, however, were able to wrap up the set with five unanswered points to grab a 2-1 lead.

Set 4 – DSC 25, SF 11

A slow start in what would be the final set doomed the Saints, and the No. 19 Falcons were able to prevail comfortably to earn the victory.

Key Saints' Statistics

Nicole DePaula led the attack with 11 kills. Paige Dinges had eight. Both totals were season-high totals for the freshmen.

The Cheronis Perspective

Head Coach Nick Cheronis: " "I thought our outside hitters grew up quite a bit today. Daytona State is a very physical team that we needed to match up with better.

We have a tough week ahead and some important matches for the conference standings."

Up Next

Santa Fe (2-6, 1-4 Suncoast) travels to play Eastern Florida State College (3-6, 1-5 Suncoast) on Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 6:00 p.m.