Florida Atlantic University Athletics’ women’s volleyball team defeated the Troy Trojans 3-1 on Saturday at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla. Florida Atlantic won 25-22, 25-27, 25-23 and 25-15 to improve to 4-3, while Troy fell to 2-3.
Florida Atlantic rallies after second-set loss
Troy held an 11-9 lead early in the opening set before Florida Atlantic answered with a 6-1 run. The Owls regained a 15-12 advantage and later moved in front 23-22 after a Sequoia Layne kill and a block assist from Libby Ashline and Anna Hartman. Florida Atlantic closed the set with an Ashline kill and a Troy setting error for the 25-22 win.
Florida Atlantic built a 13-8 lead in the second set before Troy fought back and took an 18-17 advantage. The Owls tied the set at 23-23 and denied Troy set points at 24 and 25. Troy then scored the final two points to win 27-25 and even the match.
Troy opened the third set with a 7-4 run and extended its lead to 11-7. Florida Atlantic answered with a 4-0 run, including two Olivia Hart kills, to tie the set at 11-11. After Troy regained a 21-19 lead, the Owls finished on a 6-2 run to win 25-23 and take a 2-1 lead.
Florida Atlantic scored the first seven points of the fourth set, including an ace from Kierstin Bevelle. The Owls maintained control and led 22-14 before closing the set with a 3-1 run for the 25-15 victory. The result secured Florida Atlantic’s four-set win.
Hart, Ashline and Layne lead Florida Atlantic attack
Olivia Hart, Libby Ashline and Sequoia Layne tied for the Florida Atlantic team lead with 12 kills each. Ashline posted a team-best .733 hitting percentage, while Hart recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 digs. Zoe Winford added 10 digs.
Maya Van Heyst directed the offense with a career-best 58 assists. She also contributed six digs and five kills, while Anna Hartman finished with 10 kills. Florida Atlantic outhit Troy .400 to .254 and held advantages in kills, 67-47; assists, 65-45; and digs, 60-41.
The victory improved Florida Atlantic to 16-12 all time against Troy. Florida Atlantic will play Dayton on Sunday, September 13, at 1 p.m. at The Corral in Tampa as part of the South Florida Invitational.
Source: Original report