In search of a bounce back victory, Florida Atlantic hosted Temple (11-15, 3-9 AAC) in Paradise. The first time the two teams met FAU fell to Temple 3-0, it was time for Florida Atlantic to earn the win this time around. In a match-up of the Owls, FAU dominated Temple to earn their 11th home victory of the season.
Set one was all FAU. To begin, Florida Atlantic led 9-5 after a Madison Dyer (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) kill. The lead grew from there with the help of a 11-1 run to bring the match to an 18-6 advantage for FAU. The set concluded with Florida Atlantic earning the victory 25-11 after Temple put up a -.077 hit% in the set.
Set two was even to begin. A Katelynn Robine kill evened the set at 10. FAU gained a three-point advantage after a Kaila Ru kill at the media timeout with Florida Atlantic leading 16-13. Temple then narrowed the gap within two at 21-19 before an FAU timeout. Temple brought the set within one, but FAU’s 4-1 put set two in the win column for Florida Atlantic.
Set three worked its way to a 10-10 tie before Temple took a 15-10 lead into the media timeout. Temple held their five-point lead as FAU called a timeout down 19-14. Florida Atlantic responded with a 6-0 scoring run evening the set at 21. FAU won the set 25-21 after a dominant 10-2 run to sweep Temple.
In their first meeting this season, Temple swept FAU, now Florida Atlantic returned the favor. The flip of the script comes from the hit percentage numbers. Temple had a .319 hit% in the matchup earlier this season compared to the .136 hit% in the match today. It is FAU’s fourth conference sweep this season.
Katelynn Robine (pictured below, Angelina LaBelle) had herself a day tallying 16 kills in the match. She earned 42% of the Owls kills with the team totaling 38. Isabelle Northam earned 16 digs as FAU achieved 53 in the match. Madison Dyer had seven blocks with FAU garnering 11 total. Victoria Hensley achieved 32 assists as she now sits first in the AAC and fifth in the NCAA in assists.
A trip to Texas starts against North Texas (8-14, 5-6 AAC) for FAU (14-10, 6-6 AAC). The Mean Green face off against Memphis before hosting the Owls. It has not been a great two weeks for UNT as they have not won a match since Oct. 18. It is an important trip for FAU who sits in seventh in the AAC. The top eight teams make the conference tournament at season’s end. The match between the Owls and the Mean Green is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8th at 7 p.m.