A match with huge AAC Tournament implications opened the final weekend of the regular season as Florida Atlantic faced off against UAB (11-15, 6-9 AAC). It was important for a Blazers team that could not afford another loss, while FAU would love to find a better seed, and lock themselves into the postseason. Sadly for the Owls, UAB dominated the final three sets taking an all important victory in Paradise.
The Blazers opened the set with a 5-2 advantage, but the Owls responded with a 5-1 run to take a 7-6 lead thanks to an Isabelle Northam service ace. The contest then evened as both squads worked to an 11-11 tie. FAU then went on a four-point run taking a 15-11 lead into the media timeout. Florida Atlantic extended their lead to five with UAB taking a timeout down 20-15. UAB fought back to bring the set within two at 23-21 in favor of the Owls with FAU calling a timeout to slow down the Blazers run. The timeout was a great call as the Owls earned a 25-23 win.
Set two opened all UAB with the Blazers taking a 10-6 lead thanks to a five-point run. The Blazers’ dominant set continued as they extended their advantage to six at 15-9. A Kailu Ru block gave FAU an opportunity with the Owls only trailing by three, 18-15 Blazers. Florida Atlantic somehow evened the set at 19 thanks to a Madison Dyer block. The teams worked their way to a 23-23 tie as neither team could inch away. UAB gained the two-point advantage to win the set, 26-24.
Even at one in the match, UAB took control of the third set. The Blazers earned a 12-4 advantage with FAU taking a timeout trying to find an answer. Thanks to a three-point scoring run, the Owls brought the set within three at 22-19 in search of a second set win in the match. Florida Atlantic clawed back to even the set at 24 again, but just like the third set UAB pulled the victory out at 26-24 taking a 2-1 advantage in the match.
After suffering two-straight heartbreaking set losses, the Owls were looking for a response, but found themselves down early, 9-8. UAB continued their dominant showing thanks to a six-point run forcing an FAU timeout with the Blazers leading 15-8. Unlike the second and third set, Florida Atlantic could not come back in the set as they fell to UAB 25-16, taking the match 3-1.
Katelynn Robine (second picture, Angelina LaBelle) led FAU in kills with her total of 16 while the Owls as a group had 49. Romina Cornelio (top picture, Angelina LaBelle) had a great performance with 10 kills and eight digs on the evening. Isabelle Northam led in digs with 12 as Florida Atlantic earned 50. Kaila Ru (pictured below, Angelina LaBelle) led with six blocks while the Owls had a team total of eight.
The final match of the regular season for FAU (15-12, 7-8 AAC) will be against Tulane (14-13, 6-9 AAC). Tulane is currently on a four game skid with their last win coming against UTSA. Florida Atlantic sits in two situations currently when it comes to the AAC tournament. A win on Sunday guarantees a spot in the tournament, while a loss means the Owls will need some help. Currently though, it seems very likely the Owls will make the tournament. The senior day matchup between FAU and Tulane is scheduled on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m.