Florida Atlantic (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) traveled to the City of Brotherly Love for their first of two matches against AAC foe Temple (7-9) (1-3). The third matchup of the Owls saw Temple gaining the victory after sweeping Florida Atlantic to gain first AAC victory.
Set one stayed close to begin as neither team could pull away as at the first media timeout FAU had the one-point lead 15-14. Up to that point Florida Atlantic had a 71.4 sideout percentage, while Temple had a 66.7 sideout percentage. Coming out of the break, Temple regained the lead in the set; 18-16, before an FAU timeout to slow down Temple’s momentum. While the set stayed close, Temple was able to hold-on to their two-point lead; 23-21. Florida Atlantic was able to tie the set at 23 before a Temple timeout. Both teams traded set points, but Temple closed out the set on a 3-point run to win set one 27-25.
After a barnburner in set one, set two saw an early 4-1 lead for Temple. FAU found a way to bring the set within one multiple times, but Temple clapped back holding the 12-10 lead. Florida Atlantic found the equalizer from a Temple attack error; 13-13. At the media timeout, it was Temple ahead 15-13. FAU evened the set at 17 from a Natalie Depaula kill before a Temple timeout. While Florida Atlantic was able to pull ahead, Temple went on a 7-2 run to close set two winning; 25-21.
Down 2-0, it was go time for FAU. Set three was a great start for FAU as Katelynn Robine capped off a 4-1 start with a kill. Temple fought back to even the set 4-4. Set three continued like the previous two, close. Temple and Florida Atlantic traded the lead before Temple took a 13-11 lead. The Temple Owls then went on a dominant 5-1 run to take an 18-12 lead. Temple kept pouring it, on, leading 21-16, before a Florida Atlantic timeout used a timeout to find anything to stop Temple. FAU had no answer though as Temple won the set 25-18 and gave FAU their second conference loss of the season.
Katelynn Robine led FAU in kills with her total of 14. The team total for Florida Atlantic was 46 compared to Temple’s 48. FAU had 43 digs, tying Temple in that same category. Isabelle Northam led the match in digs with 12. On the day, FAU had a .248 hit% compared to Temple’s .319.
As American Athletic Conference play continues, FAU (10-6) (2-2) travels west to Tulsa (10-5) (2-1). The Golden Hurricanes face Tulane before hosting Florida Atlantic. Tulsa does have a top 25 victory over Arkansas and swept Temple. The match between the Owls and the Golden Hurricanes and the Owls starts at 7:30 P.M. on Friday, Oct. 11.