Owls Finish Season with a Win

Sunday, October 31

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

2 PM

Florida Atlantic

-1114,39 CUSA

Middle Tennessee

-88,64 CUSA

Fla. Atlantic

Middle Tenn.

10/31/2021 5:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team (11-14 3-9 in Conference USA) won their final match of the season 3-2 over the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (8-8, 6-4 C-USA) on Sunday, closing the book on their Fall 2021 campaign.

Junior setter Stephanie Young put down another complete performance en route to new career-high in digs, while Lauryn Green's season-high seven blocks stymied MTSU over the middle.

How It Was Decided

Set 1
The Owls came into the match full of energy following a full days rest, and were eager to avenge their loss to the Blue Raiders on Friday. Christine Jarman opened the scoring for FAU and the team worked a 7-3 before MTSU rode a couple of quick aces to knot things up at 8-8. Here, Young came alive to provide an assist on three consecutive plays as she was able to connect with Robine and Sonte Stewart to give FAU a 14-10 lead. Though MTSU would work another tie late in the set at 21-all, two straight kills by Robine followed by an ace from Young, which put the set out of reach.

Set 2
The second period was perhaps the closest set played all year by the Owls. FAU took an early 4-1 advantage, and that would be either sides largest lead, even as outside hitter Stewart looked unstoppable with three of her season-high nine kills in the frame. The teams would trade blows all the way to deuce before Green and Jarman took charge and finished off the set on successive kills, and the Owls led 2-0.

Set 3
FAU entered the third set prepared for a fight, and that is exactly what they got from the Blue Raiders as MTSU stormed out to a 13-4 lead. Young and freshman setter Noelle Stephens did all they could to guide the Owls back into contention, with Young approaching the net for the second match in a row to nab a pair of kills. It would not be enough in the end, and MTSU took the set, 25-16.

Set 4
Unfortunately for the Owls, set 4 told a similar story with the Blue Raiders again finding their rhythm to gain a 9-3 lead. Robine kept firing away for four of her 13 kills on the day, but FAU did not have the same answers at the net as MTSU shored up their errors and found space in the Owls alignment. With the set never really in doubt, MTSU took set 4, 25-13 to extend the match.

Set 5
The fifth and final set arrived to find an FAU squad that was not about to let this one get away. The Owls knew they would need an extremely clean set if they were going to win the day, and got exactly that as they went on to make just one attack error in the final frame. FAU opened the set with 4-2 lead and despite falling behind by a point after a 4-0 Blue Raiders run, played outstanding defense to force MTSU into three straight errors to take back the lead which they would not relinquish. FAU hit .385 in the set while smothering MTSU into a paltry .111 clip. Katelynn Robine brought an end to the proceedings with her 13th kill, and FAU took the set 15-11, winning the match.

Of Note

Robine led the team in kills for the third time this season
Green packed away a season-high seven blocks
Young set a new career-high with 15 digs
Stewart put up a season-high nine kills

Up Next

This concludes FAU's women's volleyball season. The team will have a full eight months to rest, recover and practice for next season, starting in August.

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