BOCA RATON, Fla. – Barry University defeated the West Alabama in the opening day of the Courtyard Boca Raton Invitational by winning the final three sets 25-23, 25-22 and 25-16. The Tigers opened the match by taking the first set 26-24.

UWA begins its season 0-1 overall, while Barry jumps out to a 1-0 start.

Kaitlin Drake and Ivana Didanovic led the attack for the Buccaneers with 12 kills each. Brittany Jacobs tallied 24 digs on defense, followed by Kat Espinosa with 15. Espinosa supported the attack with three service aces.

Briana Sandifer opened her sophomore season with a double-double, posting 14 kills and 10 digs. Sandifer finished with a .317 attack percentage with help from Callie Murphy who totaled 30 assists. Murphy also tallied a double-double adding 13 digs.  

Four Tigers finished with double-digit digs. Along with Sandifer and Murphy, Abby Ames finished with 12 and Kimberly Hernandez with 18.
Barry hit slightly better than UWA with .146 team attack percentage. The Tigers compiled a .138 percentage.

"Today was an early test for this team," said UWA head coach Jordan Lay. "This is a test we will have to learn from quickly. Tomorrow we will have a chance to pick up two solid wins and leave the tournament on a positive note."  

The Tigers will close out the tournament on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning with Lynn University at 10 a.m. (C.S.T.) It will conclude with Barton College at 2 p.m. (C.S.T.).