Owls Drop Two at ASU Sheraton Invitational

Friday, September 14

Tempe, Ariz.

12:30 PM

Florida Atlantic

Gonzaga

9/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball

Sept. 15, 2012

Match 1 Stats
Match 2 Stats

TEMPE, AZ - The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team lost its two matches at the ASU Sheraton Invitational on Friday.

Gonzaga overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Owls (18-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-19, 15-12) in FAU's first match of the day. Alessia Pizzocheri led the Owls (2-5) in both kills (15) and digs (17) in the loss. The first set featured 10 ties and eight lead changes, the final one coming when a Jelena Jovanovic service ace put FAU ahead 15-14. The Owls outscored the Bulldogs 10-3 the rest of the way to take a 1-0 lead.

In the second set, FAU built a six point lead and held off a late Gonzaga rally to take the set 25-21 for a 2-0 lead. Pizzocheri had six kills in the set and Sara Stoll added three kills and three block assists. After the break, the Owls stuck around in the third set, but the Bulldogs pulled away late for a decisive 25-16 win to cut their deficit in half. Set number four followed a similar pattern, as the Owls were in the set the entire way, but were outscored 6-1 down the stretch, falling 25-19 and setting up a decisive fifth set.

FAU lead 10-7 late in set number five before Gonzaga rallied to tie the score at 10. The two teams exchanged the next four points before two Savannah Blinn kills and an FAU attack error completed the comeback 15-12.

Pizzocheri led the Owls in kills (19) and digs (14) in FAU's second match of the day, a five set loss (25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12) to UC-Riverside. The Owls were routed in the first set, falling behind 12-1 on their way to a 25-12 loss. In the second set, FAU started out quickly, taking the first five points. The Highlanders fought their way back into the set, eventually tying the score at 21. The Owls held back the charge and won the set 25-23 to tie the match.

The third set was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams battled for control of the set. The score with tied at 22 when a Highlander ball handling error, a Pizzocheri block and a Sara Stoll kill sent FAU to a 2-1 lead. In set number four, the Owls were competitive, but UC-Riverside kept the lead and won the set 25-23. The score was tied at 11 in the fourth set, but three Owl attack errors helped seal the win for the Highlanders.

The Owls play against Villanova and Arizona State are at 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. eastern on Saturday. Live stats of all matches will be available via GameTracker at www.fausports.com.