Conference play is in full swing. Florida Atlantic looked to get back in the win column as they headed to Oklahoma to face Tulsa (12-5) (4-1 AAC). The road woes continued for FAU as Tulsa earned a 3-1 victory over the Owls.
The first set started close as the Owls and Golden Hurricanes were even 10-10. Florida Atlantic proceeded to achieve a 5-point run as an Olivia Hart service ace capped off the run as FAU led 15-10. Tulsa was able to bring the match within three before a Katelynn Robine (pictured below, Angelina LaBelle) kill extended the FAU lead to four: 20-16. The Golden Hurricanes continued their rally though, as they were able to tie the match at 21. The set closed out in victory for Tulsa, winning 25-23.
Set two was one to forget for Florida Atlantic. A Valeria Rosado (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) kill evened the set at five to start for FAU, but Tulsa went on a 9-2 run to earn the 14-7 Golden Hurricanes lead. The Owls had no response for Tulsa as set two finished 25-17 in favor of the Golden Hurricanes.
Down 2-0, it was rally time for the Owls. After starting the set down 10-6, FAU had a 7-1 run to take the lead from Tulsa 13-11. At the media timeout Florida Atlantic extended their lead to three; 15-13. A Victoria Hensley kill extended the lead to four for the Owls as it was 20-16. The fight by the Owls led to FAU gaining victory in set three, 25-19.
Set four saw FAU down six before a 3-point run capped off by a Kaila Ru kill brought the set within three, 12-9. A block by Natalie Depaula brought the set within one; 14-13 in favor of Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes earned a four-point lead , but a Hensley kill brought FAU within two; 20-18. Sadly for the Owls, Tulsa closed out the set 5-3 to win 25-21
The road is FAU’s number one enemy, as the Owls are 2-5 in neutral site or road games. Rosado led in kills with her total of 13, leading the team to 52. Hensley had 45 assists for the FAU total of 52. Hart and Rosado both had 16 digs each, leading Florida Atlantic to 71 on the evening. Finally Ru had eight blocks as she helped the Owls gain a total of 11 in the match.
The road trip continues for FAU (10-7) (2-3 AAC) as they head to Kansas to play Wichita State (8-8) (3-1 AAC). Wichita State has had a productive start in AAC play and hopes to continue that against FAU while FAU looks to earn their first conference road victory. The Shockers host USF before facing the Owls. The match between the Owls and Wichita State is Sunday, Oct. 13, at 7 P.M.