MOBILE, Ala. ? The University of South Alabama women’s volleyball team dropped a 3-0 (26-30, 23-30, 25-30) decision Friday night in Sun Belt Conference action at Jag Gym.
USA (5-11, 0-4 SBC) will continue conference play at home when the Jags close out their three-match homestand versus Florida International on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Jag Gym. The Golden Panthers entered the weekend holding a half match lead in the East Division over Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
Florida Atlantic (6-9, 3-1 SBC) broke an early 3-3 tie in the opener to jump out to a 9-5 lead on a Justine Petry kill. The Lady Jags kept battling and were able to cut the deficit to two on multiple occasions, but every time USA got within striking distance, the Lady Owls answered right back and pushed their lead back out. FAU’s Kaila Janssen sealed the victory and gave the Owls the 30-25 win in game one. Florida Atlantic came out on fire in the opener, hitting a blistering .441.
In game two, the Jags took the first point on a Jenna Swilley kill, but that was the only lead USA held in the second contest. Florida Atlantic took six of the next seven points to take a 6-2 lead on a Jaguar attack error. South Alabama continued to battle and eventually tied the contest back up at 9-9 on a Lauren Robbins put away. FAU, however, reclaimed the lead for good on the very next point after another Janssen kill. USA was only able to get within four the rest of the way and fell 30-23. For the second straight game the Owls hit over .400, this time finishing at .414.
Holding a 2-0 match lead, the Lady Owls looked as if they were going to put things away early, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead. This time, however, it was South Alabama’s turn to rally as the Jags pushed across five of the next six points to tie the contest up at 5-5. The two clubs exchanged the next four points and with game four tied again at 7-7, FAU captured the next four points to take a four point lead. USA continued to battle the rest of the way, cutting the lead to one seven times before finally tying the contest back up at 22-all on another Robbins kill. The Owls answered right back though with three straight points to retake the lead at 26-23. South Alabama got no closer and Janelle Sarauw gave Florida Atlantic the match and the 30-26 win with her 16th kill of the night.
South Alabama was led offensively on the night by Swilley’s 11 kills and Taylor Irvin’s 10 kills. Sarauw led all players in that category for the Owls and Janssen recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 14 digs.
