Ave Maria Volleyball snapped a five-match losing streak Thursday with a 3-0 victory over Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens. Ave Maria University won the sets 25-16, 25-18 and 26-24. The victory improved the team to 7-8 overall and 3-6 in Sun Conference play.
The result also left Ave Maria University tied with Webber for fifth place in the Sun Conference standings. The Gyrenes controlled the first two sets before Florida Memorial pushed the third set to extra points. Ave Maria University finished the match with a .211 hitting percentage, compared with .147 for Florida Memorial University.
Ave Maria University controls first two sets
Ave Maria University opened the first set with a 9-4 lead and created additional separation with a 5-0 run. The Gyrenes built a nine-point advantage multiple times. Maylis DeTar closed the set with an ace, giving Ave Maria University a 25-16 win.
Florida Memorial University took a 16-14 lead in the second set after both teams produced 5-0 runs. Ave Maria University responded by winning 11 of the final 13 points. A ball-handling error gave the Gyrenes the set, 25-18.
Florida Memorial University pushes third set to extra points
The third set was the closest of the match, with neither team holding more than a four-point lead. Florida Memorial University led 16-12 and 17-13 before Ave Maria University used a 6-1 run to take a 19-18 advantage. The Gyrenes later moved ahead 24-20.
Florida Memorial University fought off four consecutive match points to tie the set at 24-24. Emily Child ended the run with a kill, and another ball-handling error gave Ave Maria University the next point and the match. The Gyrenes completed the sweep with a 26-24 set victory.
Child and Malczewski lead Ave Maria University
Emily Child and Elle Malczewski led Ave Maria University with 10 kills apiece. Child reached double-digit kills for the eighth time this season, while Malczewski reached that mark for the sixth time. Malczewski also recorded 10 digs for her second double-double of the season.
Maria Teixiera led the Gyrenes with 16 assists, and Myers added 12 assists. Ave Maria University recorded six service aces, with Ryan Getz, Mara Delyon and Maylis DeTar each contributing two. DeTar also led the team with 15 digs.
Road stand continues in Lakeland
The match was the first of a three-game road stand for Ave Maria Volleyball. The Gyrenes are scheduled to continue the road stand Saturday against the Southeastern Fire in Lakeland. Opening serve is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the match is scheduled to stream on the Sun Digital Network.
FSB Take
Ave Maria Volleyball answered a five-match losing streak with a sweep that included two decisive opening sets and a close finish in the third. Child and Malczewski provided balanced offensive production, while DeTar contributed at the service line and in the back row. The next scheduled match gives Ave Maria University an opportunity to build on the victory during its road stand in Lakeland.
Source: Original report