Volleyball Splits on Day 2 of Lobo Classic

Saturday, August 25

Albuquerque, N.M.

12:00 PM

Florida Atlantic

0-2

San Jose State

2-0

Florida Atlantic

SJSU

8/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Aug. 25, 2007

Box Score

The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team split their two matches on the second day of the Lobo Classic. In the first game of the day, the Owls lost to San Jose State 3-1 (30-22, 24-30, 18-30, 18-30).

FAU took a timeout with a 23-21 lead late in game one, then took seven of the next eight points, including two kills and a block assist by Krystena Castro to win the game 30-22. The Owls out-hit the Spartans .333 to .152 in the game one victory.

Game two was a back and forth affair that featured numerous ties and lead changes before SJSU closed on a 7-1 run to take game two 30-24 and tie the match at one game apiece as the teams headed to the locker room.

San Jose State took games three and four by identical 30-18 scores. The Spartans hit .343 over the last two games to clinch the match. Kala Abdell led the Owls with 12 kills and also had 10 digs for her first collegiate double-double. The loss dropped FAU to 0-2 on the season.

FAU salvaged a split for the day by defeating Grambling State three games to one (22-30, 30-21, 30-25,30-9) in their second game of the day. The Tigers took game one 30-22 on the strength of 10-1 run early in the game. The Owls rebounded to take game two 30-21, powered by two great serving runs by junior Casey LaRocca to even the match at one game each.

Serving also got the Owls off to a fast start in game two, this time freshman Kendall Utz keyed the rally, allowing FAU take an early 9-2 lead. Grambling State rallied to tie the match at 15. Another great serving rally, this time by Mallory Deneen gave FAU a 20-15 lead. A Kala Abdell kill gave FAU the 30-25 game three win.

FAU was in full control from the beginning of game four as Mallory Deneen, Krystena Castro and Kendall Utz and had serving runs of at least four straight points on the way to a 30-9 win, giving the Owls their first win of the season. Five Owls registered a service ace as FAU improved its record to 1-2 on the season. Junior Casey LaRocca was named to the All-Tournament Team. The Owls hit the road again next weekend as they travel to Des Moines, IA to take part in the Drake Invitational. - FAU -