BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of South Alabama volleyball team fell in straight-sets, 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-13) Friday evening to Sun Belt rival Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena.
The Jags (11-11, 2-7 SBC) will now face SBC East Division leader Florida International on Sunday at Noon (Central) at U.S. Century Bank Arena. The Golden Panthers swept Troy 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-18) Friday evening to run their win streak to 11.
With the win, the Owls snap a five-match skid and improve to 4-13 on the season and 3-7 in league play.
Juliana Almeida had five kills for USA, while Hristina Markova and Jaclyn Nickels each chipped in with four apiece. FAU was led offensively by Christina Wallinger's match-high 10 kills.
The two key stat categories on the night were in service aces and attack percentage. The Owls led both categories, recording 10 aces compared to just two by the Jags, while FAU also out-hit USA .295 to -.014.
SET ONE: Florida Atlantic 25, South Alabama 13
In the opening set, South Alabama held the early advantage at 4-3 after a Lindsay Schwartz kill, but over the next several points, the Owls regained control of the set and used an 11-4 run to take the lead. Sarah Stoll capped off the run and gave FAU a 14-8 lead with a kill of her own. USA could draw no closer the rest of the way and Florida Atlantic went on to pick up the 25-13 first set victory.
The Owls posted their best offensive numbers of the match in the opening frame, hitting a .409, while USA was held to a -.045
SET TWO: Florida Atlantic 25, South Alabama 18
South Alabama came out in the second set and led by as many as three (7-4) early on after an ace by Markova and an Owl attack error. Like in the first set though, Florida Atlantic re-took control of the set with another run, this one a 7-1 spurt that was capped off by an ace from Kristen Cleland to put FAU out in front 11-8.
USA was able to keep the deficit around that margin for a little while, but leading 19-16, the Owls finished strong and reeled off six of the final eight points to pick up the set and go up 2-0 in the match. Krystena Castro clinched the second set win with a put away of her own.
SET THREE: Florida Atlantic 25, South Alabama 13
In the finale, FAU opened the set with a 7-3 run and never looked back. The Owls led by as many as 14 before taking the set and the match 25-13.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
NOTES: The -.014 attack percentage by South Alabama against Florida Atlantic was a season-low. With the win, FAU snapped a five-match losing streak. The Owls now hold a 6-3 advantage in the all-time series with USA. It is also the second time that Florida Atlantic has swept both meetings in a season. USA also falls to 1-6 this season in road matches and 0-4 in SBC road matches.
-- USA --
