Florida Tech Sports Hawaiian Roundup

By  //  September 8, 2014

Panthers Represent brevard well in Hawaii

Volleyball Splits on Last Day of Hawaiian Challenge

VOLLEYBALL — Florida Tech pulled out a five-set win over Hawaii-Hilo on Saturday, but national runner-up BYU-Hawaii won each of the first three games in the Panthers’ final match of their trip at Canon Activity Center.

Ashtin Truesdale, above, tossed up 44 assists in Florida Tech's two games against Hawaiian schools. (Florida Tech image)
Ashtin Truesdale, above, tossed up 44 assists in Florida Tech’s two games against Hawaiian schools. (Florida Tech image)

The set scores against Hawaii-Hilo were 19-25, 25-12, 28-26, 14-25 and 18-16. Marilyn Dick andKim Juriga had a team-high 14 kills.

Juriga tacked on 16 digs for the team’s first double-double in three games. Ashin Truesdale had 31 assists.

Cheyanne Kauffman accumulated one more dig than Juriga to finish with a game-high 17 digs.

As was the case in Florida Tech’s season opening sweep of Daemen, the Panthers totaled 12 blocks as a team. Nine of the 15 girls that played registered at least one solo block or at least one block assist.

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BYU-Hawaii showed why it was the national runner-up by winning the first three sets, 25-13, 25-19 and 25-13.

The Seasiders held the Panthers’ attack to a -0.22 hitting percentage as they forced 30 Florida Tech errors.

Despite that, Juriga paced the team with nine kills. Kauffman nearly matched her digs total from the first match of the day, finishing with 16.

The Panthers will return to Melbourne to prepare for the Eckerd College Classic, held Friday and Saturday at the McArthur Center. On Friday, they will play UPR-Rio Piedras at 12:45 p.m. and Chadron State at 5:15 p.m. On Saturday, Florida Tech will oppose Queens University of Charlotte at 12:45 p.m. and will play Daemen again at 5:15 p.m.

Panthers Fall to Hawaii Pacific 2-1

WOMEN’S SOCCER — The Florida Tech Panthers wrapped up play in Hawaii on Saturday when they took on Hawaii Pacific. The Panthers made a push in the second half, but the Sharks took home the 2-1 victory.

Junior keeper Julia Kantor, above, made eight saves for the Panthers Saturday night, but Hawaii Pacific earned the 2-1 victory. (Florida Tech)
Junior keeper Julia Kantor, above, made eight saves for the Panthers Saturday night, but Hawaii Pacific earned the 2-1 victory. (Florida Tech)

The Sharks (1-0) took an early lead with a goal in the seventh minute. Lexi Cameau scored the unassisted goal. Hawaii Pacific extended its lead in the 20th minute. Ashlyn Ubongen scored on a penalty kick, and gave the Sharks the 2-0 lead.

Trailing 2-0 in the second half, the Panthers (1-1) responded with a goal in the 52nd minute. Sophomore Mary Watson scored her first goal of the season off a header assist from senior Courtney Hueston.

The goal cut the deficit to just one at 2-1. However, the Panthers could not find the equalizing goal, and the Sharks took home the 2-1 win.

Both offenses were busy Saturday night. The Panthers took 14 shots with seven on goal, and the Sharks took 20 shots with 12 on goal.

Junior keeper Julia Kantor finished the game with eight saves for the Panthers. Kelby Boswell made five saves for Hawaii Pacific.

The Panthers will play their first home game of the season Friday night when they begin the Marriott Doubletree Panther Invitational. The squad will take on North Georgia at Rick Stottler Field at 7:30 p.m.