Saints Volleyball Knocks Off Hillsborough Community College, 3-0
February 19, 2021

Saints Volleyball Knocks Off Hillsborough Community College, 3-0

Audio Audio Box Score
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - No. 20 Santa Fe volleyball regrouped from their first defeat at home this season, dispatching of visiting Hillsborough Community College, 25-19, 25-15, 25-11.
 
The Saints were particularly dominant against the Hawks during a stretch of play in the final two sets, rattling off an amazing 19 consecutive points to put the stamp on the victory.
 
Set 1 - SF 25, HCC 19
Santa Fe grabbed the upper-hand, breaking a 3-3 tie with a 6-1 run, capped off by a kill from Samantha Caglianone. 
 
The Hawks were able to get to within one of the Saints, 9-8, but Santa Fe never relinquished the lead and quickly responded to grow their lead to double-digits, 19-9, on the strength of a 10-1 run.
 
The Saints earned the final point of the set in the 25-19 victory on a block from Maria Hernandez and Katelyn Crofts. 
 
Set 2 - SF 25, HCC 15
Hillsborough started strong in Set 2 and staked claim to a 5-1 lead.
 
The Saints began chipping away and took their first lead of the set, 10-9.
 
Hillsborough, however, held a 15-14 advantage when the Saints began an impressive run.
 
Santa Fe took firm control of the match, winning the final 11 points of the set. Two Hillsborough timeouts during the stretch of play couldn't stop the Saints, as the front row dictated play with the block and the back row kept Hillsborough from finding the floor.
 
Set 3 - SF 25, HCC 11
The Saints' momentum continued into what would prove to be the night's final set. 
 
Santa Fe took an 8-0 lead, capped off by an ace from Kariana Ayala that extended the streak of unanswered points to 19.
 
Hillsborough had no answer for Santa Fe from that point forward, as another block from Hernandez and Crofts was rhe final points in the Saints' ninth win of the season. 
 
Key Statistics
The Saints had seven aces to just five service errors, finding free points with effectiveness from behind the line.
 
Madison Sheffield had a well-rounded statistical effort with nine kills and ten digs. Ayala contributed a team-high 17 digs from the back row, and Crofts was once again active at the net, accounting for five blocks. 
 
The Cheronis Perspective
Head Coach Nick Cheronis: "Our consistency of effort was on point tonight. When we don't give up on rallies and force other teams to execute over and over again, we are very dangerous."
 
On the team's serving performance: "Our serving was much more aggressive than it was this afternoon. We took HCC out of their offensive rhythm early."
 
Up Next
Santa Fe (9-2) now sets its sights on a second matchup this season with Pasco-Hernando State College on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1:00 p.m. inside the SF Gymnasium. The Saints beat the Bobcats in a five-set thriller on January 29 in New Port Richey, Fla.