Owls Fall Twice on Day 2 of Sunshine Challenge Cup

Friday, September 17

Boca Raton, Fla.

11 AM

Florida Atlantic

-84,00 CUSA

UCF

7-5,0-0AAC

UCF

Fla. Atlantic

9/17/2021 6:08:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University volleyball team (8-5) lost second and third matches of the Sunshine Challenge Cup on Friday, falling to the UCF Knights and Florida Gulf Coast Eagles each in three sets.

Owls' freshman outside hitter Klara Zarnovicka was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts, as she put up 32 kills across three matches.

Sunshine Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team

S Claudia Dillon             UCF
RS    Anne-Mare Watson    UCF
S    Savannah Vach          Miami
DS Priscilla Hernandez Miami
OH Erin Shomaker          FGCU
S Chelsey Lockey FGCU
OH Klara Zarnovicka FAU

Tournament MVP: OH  McKenna Melville UCF

How It Was Decided

Match One vs. UCF
The Owls' second match of the tournament presented FAU with another familiar foe in the UCF Knights. Early on, it appeared as if the Owls would be able to compete and stay in rhythm and allow the big swingers to do their work. Katelynn Robine smashed a pair of kills early in set one to set the tone and tie the set at 5-5, but UCF responded in a big way by going on a 12-2 run. The Knights would eventually take the first set 25-13, despite five kills in the period by Christine Jarman. Set two proved to more of the same as the Owls looked for answers at the net against a steady UCF defense. Though Zarnovicka eventually found her footing to lead the attack for the Owls with 10 kills, the Knights would take sets two and three, winning the match in straight sets.

Match One vs. FGCU
The final match of the Sunshine Challenge Cup was another battle for the Owls. Lauryn Green stood tall on a big block to open the scoring, and after FGCU broke the tie at 5-5 to go up by five, the Owls responded in kind with four straight points to make the score 11-10, Eagles. From there, FGCU's offense found their rhythm, and took the first set, 25-14. Set two told a similar story, with the Owls' frontline playing well but unable to sneak shots past a stout Eagles defensive front. After FGCU took a four point lead midway through the set, a furious rally that ended with a thunderous kill by Halle Olson threatened to take momentum back for the Owls. However, FGCU seized control at that critical moment in the match and went on to take the second set, 25-18. The final set saw the Owls display the same kind of heart and passion that has led them thus far this season, but the Eagles' defense stiffened yet again, and kept the Owls at bay, eventually winning set three 25-15, and earning a straight-set victory.

Of Note

Zarnovicka has reached double-digit kills in her last four matches
MiaBella English has not made a single reception error in 45 sets played
Noelle Stephens reached 10 or more assists for the third time this year
Camryn Vogler has gathered double-digit digs in nine out of 12 matches so far this season

Up Next

FAU will begin conference play next week. First up on the Conference USA schedule is a pair of matches with Old Dominion on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25 with both matches taking place at Abessinio Court at FAU Arena. First serve on Friday will be at 1 p.m.

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