(Box Score) (Box Score 2) (Box Score 3)
BROOKLINE, Mass. ( Oct. 7, 2023) – Florida National University’s women’s volleyball team faced unexpected turbulence during its three-match outing in Brookline, Mass. The Conquistadors (4-8) dropped the first two games of the day, falling 3-2 to Crowley’s Ridge College and 3-1 to Haskell Indian Nations University (11-15). The evening was not a total loss, as FNU cruised to a 3-0 win over the Fisher College Falcons (9-14).
In game one, CRC and FNU were exchanging blows through the entire contest, pushing this CAC match up to five sets. FNU won out in the first set, 27-25, thanks to 14 kills in the frame. A kill by FNU’s Layla Cortez and an attack error from the Pioneers’ Brooklynn Passmore secured a 1-0 lead for the Conquistadors. Cortez had eight kills and Ivette Sandoval recorded six assists.
The second and third frames were an up-and-down affair for the Conquistadors, as they fell 25-23 and then took a 2-1 lead after a 25-12 rout in the third. CRC committed 15 errors through the two frames, while FNU had 20 kills in the same window. But to their credit, Crowley’s Ridge stuck around, forcing a fifth set after a stunning 25-23 win in the fourth. An attack error from Gabriela Gonzalez ended the fourth and FNU looked to regroup for the fifth set.
CRC came back to earn a 14-13 lead after falling behind 9-4. Two kills from CRC’s Alexis Weirich and Jillian Glasgow denied FNU the victory. Cortez had 20 kills while Sandoval had 17 digs and 18 assists.
Game two was a slow start for FNU, as they fell 25-17 in the first set. Haskell went on an 8-2 run to close out the frame, including five kills down the stretch. Four kills from Cortez helped FNU tie up the match in the second after a 25-20 victory. Despite the win, FNU dropped the next two sets 25-22 and 25-21. Cortez and Brianna Grabowski combined for 24 kills. Taysha Ortega had 16 assists and Sandoval recorded 18.
In the third game, FNU rose above their competition and easily executed a 3-0 sweep of the Falcons. In set one, FNU had 16 kills and held Fisher to just five in the frame. The set was tied 15-15 at the halfway point and FNU went on a 10-1 run to take a 1-0 lead. Taysha Ortega racked up five assists and Cortez had herself a day with seven kills.
Set two and three was a strong display of dominance for FNU, as the Conquistadors racked up 30 kills and held the Falcons to 11. Gonzalez was stellar in victory with 11 kills.
Up Next: Women’s volleyball hosts the USCAA’s University of Maine at Fort Kent Oct. 10. First serve from Bucky Dent Park is set for 7 p.m.
