Volleyball Continues Winning Ways at Owls Classic

Friday, September 14

12:30 p.m. ET

Florida Atlantic

7-3

South Dakota St.

2-9

SDSU

Florida Atlantic

Photo by: JC Ridley/Owlpix.com

9/14/2018 9:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight with a pair of straight set wins at the Owls Classic on Friday. The streak matches the longest FAU has had under Coach Fernanda Nelson. The Owls are now 8-3 on the season.

Match 1 vs. South Dakota State
Key Plays
FAU already held an 8-6 lead early in the first set, then reeled off a 6-2 run to stretch the margin to 14-8. A Jackrabbit kill made the score 17-13 before Cailea Gibbs put away a kill of her own and a Kori Varney serving run helped clinch the 25-14 set one win. The Owls got out to another quick start in set number two, but SDSU rallied to tie the score, 13-13. Sydney Nemtuda kickstarted a 5-0 FAU run with a kill and service ace, providing the Owls with an 18-13 advantage. The Jackrabbits didn't go away, once again tying the score, this time at 19-19. The sides would be even at 21, 22 and 23, but a SDSU error and Nemtuda's sixth kill of the frame gave the Owls a two sets to none lead. The score was level at 8-8 in the third set when a 5-1 run put FAU up 13-9. SDSU pulled to within two on three separate occasions, but was never able to fully close to the gap. Massiel Matos scored the final five points of the match for FAU.
Notables

Matos led all players with 13 kills.
Nemtuda and Gibbs had a dozen kills each. The 12 kills tied Gibbs' career high.
Ivone Martinez just missed a double-double with 40 assists and nine digs.

Video Highlights
Video Highlight Package
Match 2 vs. San Jose State
Key Plays
Strong serving by Alex Cardona, Matos, Nemtuda and Martinez helped the Owls build a 16-6 lead in the first set. FAU was never threatened and won the frame 25-15. The pattern continued in set number two, although this time, the Spartans were able to rebound and pull to within one at 15-14. The Owls responded with five unanswered points to regain control and eventually triumphed 25-20 to take a 2-0 lead. SJSU had their best start of the match in set three, taking a 7-5 edge. Momentum changed sides on several occasions, with neither team able to firmly maintain control. The score was even at 15 when Sigourney Kame put down three kills in quick succession to push FAU ahead 19-16. That margin proved insurmountable as the Owls held off SJSU to win the set and match 25-19.
Notables

Massiel Matos had 12 kills and 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the season.She also recorded five service aces and three blocks.
Kame added 11 kills, while Abbi Reid chipped in 10.
Alex Cardona posted 10 digs.
The Owls nearly doubled up the Spartans in hitting percentage, .324 to .167.

Upcoming
The Owls face North Florida at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats and video will be available at fausports.com.