Owls Grind Out Four Set Win Over Southern Miss

Friday, October 19

Boca Raton, Fla.

7:00 p.m. ET

Florida Atlantic

-165, 62 CUSA

Southern Miss

-1111, 44 CUSA

USM

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

10/19/2018 10:57:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team was able to stave off a tenacious Southern Miss squad in a four-set win (25-22, 27-25, 22-25, 27-25) on Friday. The Owls improved to 16-5 overall and 6-3 in Conference USA play.

Key Plays
Set number one was back and forth the entire way. The Golden Eagles (11-11, 4-3) led 20-19 late in the frame, when the Owls scored three points in a row to take a 22-20 lead. The two teams exchanged the next four points, giving FAU a 24-22 edge when an Ivone Martinez kill clinched the win for the Owls.

USM led 22-19 in the second set. FAU responded with three straight points to level the score at 22-22. Another exchange of points ensued, including the Owls having to fight off two set points, eventually leaving the score tied 25-25. At that point, senior Abbi Reid stepped up with back-to-back kills, putting FAU ahead two sets to none.

In set three, the score was tied 18-18 but this time, the pivotal run belonged to USM, as the Golden Eagles closed on a 7-4 run to cut the Owls' lead in half.

FAU built a 13-9 cushion in the fourth set, however, the Golden Eagles rallied to even the score at 15-all. Another late tug-of-war ensued, and the score was tied for the 13^th and final time at 25. Jordan Yauch's 19^th kill gave the Owls match point, followed by a Sydney Nemtuda kill to end the match.

Notables

Jordan Yauch had 19 kills and hit .562 to lead the Owls in both categories.
Massiel Matos collected 17 kills and a team-high 15 digs for her ninth double-double of the year. Matos added two solo blocks.
Cailea Gibbs posted 10 kills and three block assists.
Alex Cardona and Kori Varney each tallied 11 digs.
Ivone Martinez amassed 57 assists, nine digs, four block assists and three kills.