How Sweep It Is: FAU earn Season Defining Victory over Rice

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After a three-match losing streak FAU hosted Rice (11-6, 6-2 AAC) to Paradise. Rice came into the match in second place in the AAC trying to keep up with USF. Florida Atlantic rode the energy the Elly gave them to blank Rice 3-0 as an important weekend of conference play began.

The first set had a quick pace to the action. At the media timeout it was FAU with a 15-11 lead. The 83.3 side out % kept the Rice attack from scoring in bunches up to that point. Florida Atlantic’s lead extended to five from a Victoria Hensley (pictured below, Angelina LaBelle) kill as Rice called a timeout; 18-13 in favor of FAU. Rice brought the set within two, but Florida Atlantic responded by pushing the gap to four; 21-17. Rice was not finished yet as RU brought the set within two once more, 22-20 in favor of FAU. After Rice evened the set at 23, FAU scored the final two points to secure the set 25-23.

FAU, looking to end a three match losing streak, found themselves down one early, but a six-point scoring run capped off by a Madison Dyer (pictured below, Angelina LaBelle) kill turned the second set in favor of FAU early; 11-6. Rice sparked a three-point run of their own to draw the set within three, 13-10. FAU then went on a 7-3 run, with Katelynn Robine giving Florida Atlantic a 17-13 advantage. FAU extended their lead to seven reaching match point; 24-17. RU made the final point difficult to secure for Florida Atlantic as RU battled back to make the match a 24-21 deficit before a FAU timeout. Rice’s five-point run was not enough to overcome Florida Atlantic as FAU won the set 25-22.

Rice, down 2-0, jumped out to a 4-0 lead before a Kaila Ru kill finished off a Florida Atlantic four-point run to even set three at four. Rice managed to gain their four point lead again causing FAU to call a timeout; 12-8. FAU’s flame was not yet extinguished as Florida Atlantic, with the help of a five-point run, earned their first lead of the set: 16-14 FAU. Rice evened the set at 17, but FAU kept pouring it on as they took a 20-17 advantage before a RU timeout. Florida Atlantic’s night of domination continued as FAU reached match point. After two Rice scores, FAU earned the final set 25-21, sweeping Rice 3-0.

For whatever reason, Paradise is the place for FAU. The Owls are now 3-1 in conference play at the Elly and a victory over RPI’s 30th ranked Rice, comes to show the importance the home crowd brings for the Owls. Kaila Ru and Katelynn Robine both had themselves a night with both earning nine kills leading FAU to 38 in the match. Hensley had 32 assists as the Owls had a total of 36. Isabelle Northam’s role off the bench produced a team leading 12 digs, and four Owls tied with four blocks on the night.

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The celebration after the final point as the Owls gained the victory:

Closing out the weekend, the Owls (11-8, 3-4 AAC) will host the USF Bulls (11-7, 7-0 AAC) at the Elly. South Florida is currently the top team in the AAC, and the only team without a conference loss in the American. The Bulls are in a great spot coming into the contest as they currently sit 66 in the NCAA’s RPI standings. The match is the first of two this season between the two programs. Play starts on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 P.M.