October 25, 2017

Gainesville, FL – The Santa Fe Saints (11-14) dropped the first set of their Panhandle Conference play-in game to Pensacola State College on Wednesday night in Gainesville, but bounced back in a big way to win the next three sets to secure a victory and a spot at the FCSAA Tournament.

Maggie Mathews was a force for the Saints off the bench, recording a team high 12 kills in three sets played.

"Our bench was huge tonight," said SF Coach Nick Cheronis.  "We aren't going to state without Mathews, Brooke Ruud, and Kaylee Herring.  They were outstanding."

After losing the first set 25-23, SF picked up a big set two win 25-21 to even the score back up at 1-1.  The third set was all Santa Fe as they built up as much as an 11 point lead before closing out a 25-18 win. 

Needing a fourth set win to clinch their ticket to the FCSAA Tournament, the Saints came up big, securing a 25-20 win.

Leah Wilcox finished with nine kills, 14 digs, and two blocks, Brooke Ruud had six, and Sterling Williamson was a force at the net with five blocks.

The Saints will play a tournament warm up game on Saturday, October 28 against Miami Dade College in Daytona at 12 noon.  Their first tournament game will be on November 3 at 1:00 p.m. against College of Central Florida

The entire tournament can be seen live on the FCSAA Sports YouTube Channel.

For complete schedules, stats, and more information please visit www.santafesaints.com. 

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