Owls open FGCU Invitational with sweep over Terriers

Friday, September 16

Fort Myers, Fla. / Alico Arena

4 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

-91,00 CUSA

St. Francis Brooklyn

6-8,0-0NEC

Fla. Atlantic

St. Francis Brooklyn

9/16/2022 6:35:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – A career day for Valeria Rosado led Florida Atlantic University volleyball to an impressive straight-set sweep (25-21, 26-24, 25-9) over the St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers in the Owls' FGCU Invitational opener on Friday at Alico Arena.

"We started off a little slow today, but I was happy to see us playing great volleyball in the third set," expressed head coach Fernanda Nelson. "That was another great win, and we are excited to keep getting better. Tomorrow we are going to have to elevate our game and get a stronger start out of the gate. We served and passed really well, and Valeria had another great match. It was a good team effort from everybody."

After trading points to open the contest, a solo block from Vanda Zimova sparked a 9-2 FAU run, giving the Owls a commanding 10-3 lead in the opening set. The Terriers battled back to eventually bring the set even at 17 apiece, but the Owls locked in to close out the set, outscoring the Terriers 8-4 and push FAU to a 25-21 win in set one.

In the second, the Owls got out to a quick lead, scoring five-straight points, 5-0. St. Francis Brooklyn responded, however, to bring the set back within three, 12-9, but a 9-7 FAU run kicked the Owls lead back to 21-16 and sparked the Terriers second timeout of the set. Out of the timeout, St. Francis Brooklyn challenged FAU, outscoring the Owls 8-3 to bring the set even at 24-24 as the Terriers looked to even the match, however, the Owls responded with back-to-back kills from Katelynn Robine and Klara Zarnovicka to close out the frame, 26-24, and give FAU the 2-0 advantage.

The third and final set was a dominant showing for the Owls. After battling to a 9-5 FAU lead, the Owls flexed their muscles, outscoring the Terriers 14-4 to claim the 25-9 win and close out the sweep.

Stat Leaders

Kills: Valeria Rosado - 23
Assists: Noelle Stephens - 38
Digs: Katelynn Robine - 9
Blocks: Lauryn Green - 5
Aces: Valeria Rosado - 3

Set-by-Set

Set 1: FAU 25, St. Francis Brooklyn 21
Set 2: FAU 26, St. Francis Brooklyn 24
Set 3: FAU 25, St. Francis Brooklyn 9

Match Notes

Valeria Rosado posted a career-high 23 kills and a career-best .667 hitting percentage
Lauryn Green also had an impressive day, posting a season second-best five blocks against the Terriers
Noelle Stephens tallied a match-high 38 assists
Katelynn Robine tied a career-high in digs, leading the Owls with nine

Up Next

FAU continues play in the FGCU Invitational tomorrow as the Owls take on Buffalo at 1 p.m. before playing host FGCU at 7 p.m.