Oct. 7, 2006
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naiara Fernandes (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/Lee University) and Jerica Carter (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville HS) tallied 14 of the Argonauts 16 service aces as West Florida earned a 3-0 (30-18, 30-24, 30-25) victory over New Haven Saturday at the UWF Field House. West Florida (14-8) won their season-high sixth consecutive match. New Haven (13-10) suffered their sixth consecutive loss.
"Today was a good win for us," said head coach Melissa Wolter. "They (New Haven) are a strong team in their region and they played us very tough."
West Florida's 16 service aces were tied for the second-highest single-match total. The Argonauts recorded a school record 18 kills against Spring Hill in 2002. Carter's eight service aces were the second-highest single-match total, one short of former Argonaut Jessica Bragion's record of nine in 2004.
New Haven was poised to start the match with a game one victory, but a tremendous surge by West Florida gave the Argonauts the victory. With New Haven leading 14-13, a pair of kills by Helena Castro and a bad set by the Argonauts increased the Charger lead to 17-13. However, West Florida scored 17 of the last 18 points in the match. The Argonauts scored 10 consecutive points, including five service aces by Fernandes. After a New Haven kill, West Florida recorded the final six points of the game, including three service aces by Carter. West Florida finished with 11 service aces in the first game.
New Haven stayed with West Florida for most of the second game, but the Argonauts pulled away late. With West Florida leading 22-20, the Argonauts scored four straight points on three Charger errors and a Fernandes kill. West Florida scored the final two points of the match on a Fernandes kill and a Carter service ace.
The third game was close throughout as New Haven attempted to avoid the sweep. For the majority of the match, neither team was able to build on their lead. With the score tied at 19, West Florida scored three straight points off of two Charger attack errors and a long rally that ended with a Calli Kovel (Joliet, Ill./Charleston Southern Univ.) kill. After a New Haven timeout, West Florida scored three more consecutive points on two kills by Carly Moyers (Eden Prairie, Minn./Louisiana Tech) and a kill by Sarah Harrison (Sinton, Texas/UNC-Pembroke). After New Haven trimmed the Argonaut lead to 27-25, West Florida ended the match on a Charger attack error and back-to-back kills by Fernandes.
Fernandes finished with 21 kills, 10 digs and six service aces. She is averaging 21.3 kills per match over the last three matches. Moyers added 12 kills and four blocks. Along with her eight service aces, Carter tallied 10 digs. Castro recorded a match-high 14 kills for New Haven.
West Florida will return to Gulf South Conference action this Tuesday at Valdosta State. The match will begin at 6:00 p.m. EST.
