FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern Sharks began their 2023 campaign with a thrilling, four-set victory over Seton Hill (PA.) on Friday evening from the Rick Case Arena. Elizabeth Price and Brittany Landrum both recorded double-digit kills to lead the Sharks offense, while Oliva Aniol recorded six total blocks. 
Score: Nova Southeastern 3, Seton Hill 1
Records: Nova Southeastern (1-0) | Seton Hill (0-2)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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- The Sharks trailed 5-4 early in the first set, but Gabrielle Spankus provided a spark with a service ace, which tied the frame, before Brittany Landrum gave NSU a 6-5 lead with a kill.
- Both the Sharks and the Griffin’s traded points back-and-forth for much of the first set. Elizabeth Price recorded two consecutive kills for Nova Southeastern, giving NSU a 15-13 lead. The Sharks extended their lead to 17-14, following points from Landrum and Kate Mihacevich, as Nova Southeastern rallied for a 5-1 run.
- Landrum sealed the opening set victory with a kill, as the Sharks won the frame 25-23.
- Seton Hill opened the second set with an 11-4 lead and despite Nova Southeastern rallying, SHU tied the match with a 25-18 second set win.
- The Griffins once again began the set with an early advantage, leading 11-6.
- Nova Southeastern continued to be relentless, rallying to take a 19-18 advantage courtesy of back-to-back kills from Ella Kern.
- The Sharks rallied for five consecutive points, coming from Julia Bernardes, Taylor Stockman, and Olivia Aniol, and took a 24-19 lead over SHU.
- Nova Southeastern claimed the third set, retaking the match lead, by a score of 25-22.
- NSU maintained the momentum into the fourth set, jumping out to an early 5-2 advantage over Seton Hill.
- Bernardes sparked a 7-0 run for the Sharks, which was capped off by a service ace from Elizabeth Price and an error from SHU, giving NSU a 14-7 lead.
- A 5-0 run led by Aniol and Varshini Panuganti put the Sharks on the cusp of a season-opening victory, as NSU extended its lead to 23-13.
- Price sealed the Sharks victory by recording her 10th kill of the match, as NSU won the fourth set 25-15.
Head Coach Kacie Ehinger – “I’m really proud of the grit we showed after the second set didn’t go our way. We saw glimpses of how good we can be when we are in system. It was great to have Brittany and Elizabeth back in the lineup after they each missed a chunk of last season, they both had great performances. Gabrielle and Madison both did an excellent job running a balanced offense.” 
Nova Southeastern returns to action with a pair of matches on Saturday, September 2nd, from the Rick Case Arena. The Sharks play Dominican at 12:30 p.m. and Bentley at 7:30 p.m.
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