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Akopova leads 16th-ranked Barry with 18 kills

The #16 Barry Buccaneers women's volleyball team swept Nova Southeastern University, 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-15), in a Sunshine State Conference (SSC) matchup at the Rick Case Arena in Davie, Florida. The Bucs improve to 18-2 (9-1 SSC).

INSIDE THE MATCHUPS:

Final: Barry 3, NSU 0

Records: Barry (18-2, 9-1 SSC), NSU (12-8, 5-5 SSC)

All-Time Series: Barry leads series, 33-15, and has won both meetings in 2022 and seven of the last 10 with Nova Southeastern. The Bucs improve to 11-9 all-time in road meetings with the Sharks.

SUMMARY:

• 1st set | Diana Akopova had a kill to end a three-point streak for the Sharks as the Bucs won five of the next six points to take a 16-11 lead. Akopova's service ace made it 19-12 and forced the second Shark timeout in a span of five points. Djuly Schmorantz delivered an ace for the 23rd point and Marina Azevedo had a kill for the 24th before joining Jeyhlen Thomas on a block to end the set.   | Barry 25, NSU 17
• 2nd set | The Bucs trailed 5-1 and 7-2 before Akopova had a kill followed by a service ace. Head coach Leonid Yelin called a timeout when the Bucs were down 18-16, and then Schmorantz earned a kill and a Shark attack error knotted the set at 18-all. Barry bounced back from another two-point deficit with kills from Marija Borcic, Schmorantz, and Thomas. Akopova provided the final two points for the winning margin. | Barry 26, NSU 24
• 3rd set | The Bucs had a six-point swing after down by one (10-9) and finished winning 16 of the final 21 points. Nicola Osiewala served the final four points of the match and ended it with an ace. | Barry 25, NSU 15

NOTEWORTHY:

• Akopova led all players with 18 kills on 38 swings for a .421 hitting percentage.
• Luana Bulara and Schmorantz topped the Bucs in digs with 12 and 10, respectively. Akopova, Borcic, and Monica Lopez had eight, seven, and six each.
• Thomas provided six blocks on the night.
• Borcic finished with 33 assists.
• Barry has scored a 3-0 decision in 15 of its 18 victories.

ON THE HORIZON:

The Bucs will return home on Friday, Oct. 21, to play Embry-Riddle in the Health & Sports Center. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. 

Original source can be found here.