Owls gain their third sweep of the season versus rival FIU before they have two weekend road trips.
Set one began with FIU jumping out to a 4-1 lead before Florida Atlantic came back to gain their first lead of the match at an 8-7 lead. The Owls began to pull away before the Panthers called their first time out, FAU lead 10-7.
FIU used a 4-0 scoring run to tie the set at 14 before a Florida Atlantic timeout. The set stayed close as the Panthers scrappy play kept the set close as it was tied at 21. The Owls went on a 4 point scoring run to win set one 25-21 and lead the match 1-0.
Set two started off as a back and forth waltz as it was an 8-8 tie. Florida Atlantic would go on a 4-1 scoring run to gain their largest lead of the set so far at three with a 12-9 lead. The Owls advanced to a 16-12 lead as they looked to easily take the second set. FAU did just that by stretching their lead out to nine and winning set two 25-16. FAU’s lead was now 2-0 for the match.
The third set began as close as the other two as it was only a 8-6 lead for the Owls to begin. Florida Atlantic stretched their advantage to 4 with a 13-9 lead before a FIU timeout. FAU controlled the set as they had a 7-2 scoring run working in their favor as they advanced to a 16-10 lead. The Owls ran away with the third set 25-16 to gain their first win over FIU since 2021.
The Owls now have their third sweep of the season due to the impressive work of Senior Valeria Rosada (7) who led the team in kills this evening with her total of 14 after she gained her second weekly honorable mention accolade of her career. FAU had a team total of 41 kills. Victoria Hensley (17) led the team in digs with her total of 12 as the Owls garnered 47 digs compared to the Panthers 42. To close out, Florida Atlantic committed only 11 errors, tying their lowest total of the season.
Florida Atlantic improves to 3-1 to begin the season as FIU falls to 0-4. FAU will not be in Boca Raton again until September 20th as they head to Lubbock, Texas for the Red Raider Classic. The Owls will take on Green Bay and Texas Tech, Friday, September 6th. Green Bay is still looking for their first match win of the season (0-3) while the Red Raiders are 2-1.
Article: Garon Bach
Photos: Angelina LaBelle