DELAND, Fla. – The No. 14-ranked Sandy Owls split on opening day of the Stetson Beach Invitational, falling 3-2 against Costal Carolina, but bouncing back to close the day with a 4-1 win over North Alabama.
NO. 14 FAU 2 – COASTAL CAROLINA 3
Florida Atlantic took the opening lead after Stephanie Young and Logan Mignerey captured a straight-set win on court five against Costal Carolina’s Emma Kunaus and Celia Ryan, 21-11, 21-17. The Sandy Chants then evened things up at 1-1 after earning a three-set victory on court four with Ashleigh Adams and Marketa Svozilova falling against CCU’s Madison Allred and Raychel Ehlers, 21-18, 23-25, 11-15. The Sandy Owls retook the lead after Emma Grace Robertson and Jillienne Cloud secured a straight-set win against the Sandy Chants’ Elena Sanchez and Ellie Hanford, 21-15, 21-15. Coastal once again evened the match at 2-2 after Courtney Moon and Julie Honzovicova fell in three sets against Coastal Carolina’s Madie Lichty and Sarlota Svobodova, 21-10, 23-25, 11-15. The Sandy Owls just couldn’t close out the match though as Costal Carolina took the 3-2 win after clinching a three-setter on court one with Ellie Austin and Christine Jarman falling 17-21, 21-16, 8-15 against the Sandy Chants’ Sarah Riedell and Martine Kragholm.
Scores
1. Sarah Riedell/Martine Kragholm (CCU) def. Ellie Austin/Christine Jarman (FAU) 21-17, 16-21, 15-8 (finished fifth)
2. Emma Grace Robertson/Jillienne Cloud (FAU) def. Elena Sanchez/Ellie Hanford (CCU) 21-15, 21-15 (finished third)
3. Madie Lichty/Sarlota Svobodova (CCU) def. Courtney Moon/Julie Honzovicova (FAU) 10-21, 25-23, 15-11 (finished fourth)
4. Madison Allred/Raychel Ehlers (CCU) def. Ashleigh Adams/Marketa Svozilova (FAU) 18-21, 21-19, 15-11 (finished second)
5. Stephanie Young/Logan Mignerey (FAU) def. Emma Kunaus/Celia Ryan (CCU) 21-11, 21-17 (finished first)
NO. 14 FAU 4 – NORTH ALABAMA 1
Kate McLaughlin and Logan Mignerey got things started for the Sandy Owls, earning a straight-set, 21-15, 21-17, victory on court five against North Alabama’s Kati Anderson and Katie Gerig. Stephanie Young got her second win of the day, this time pairing with Courtney Moon to defeat UNA’s Natalie Kordt and Jelena Girod in straight sets, 25-23, 21-15. Julie Honzovicova and Ashleigh Adams paired back up against the Lions and clinched the match for the Sandy Owls, earning the team’s third two-set victory against North Alabama’s Selma Robinson and Martha McLaurin, winning 21-13, 22-20 on court three. North Alabama got one back on court two as Emma Grace Robertson and Jillienne Cloud fell 17-21, 13-21, against the Lions’ Katy Floyd and Mackenzie Martin. Ellie Austin and Christine Jarman closed out the match for the Sandy Owls, pushing the team to a 4-1 victory after a straight-set, 21-18, 21-18, win against UNA’s Paula Klemperer and Taylor Seney.
Scores
1. Ellie Austin/Christine Jarman (FAU) def. Paula Klemperer/Taylor Seney (UNA) 21-18, 21-18 (finished fifth)
2. Katy Floyd/Mackenzie Martin (UNA) def. Emma Grace Robertson/Jillienne Cloud (FAU) 21-17, 21-13 (finished fourth)
3. Ashleigh Adams/Julie Honzovicova (FAU) def. Selma Robinson/Martha McLaurin (UNA) 21-13, 22-20 (finished third)
4. Stephanie Young/Courtney Moon (FAU) def. Natalie Kordt/Jelena Girod (UNA) 25-23, 21-15 (finished second)
5. Kate McLaughlin/Logan Mignerey (FAU) def. Kati Anderson/Katie Gerig (UNA) 21-15, 21-17 (finished first)
THOUGHTS FROM COACH GROTOWSKI
“Disappointing day. I felt like we were building momentum after last weekend but couldn’t finish against Coastal today. Coastal has had some upsets this year and when we were hesitant, they took advantage. We were a little better against UNA in our second match, but I don’t think it is close to the level we are capable of. We have two tough matches tomorrow and I’m excited to see our squad bounce back!”
NOTABLES
- The Sandy Owls move to 10-8 on the season
- FAU’s match against Coastal Carolina marked the first pairings of the season for Courtney Moon and Julie Honzovicova, Ashleigh Adams and Marketa Svozilova, as well as Stephanie Young and Logan Mignerey.
- The Sandy Owls’ match against North Alabama marked the first season pairing for Stephanie Young and Courtney Moon.
- Emma Grace Robertson and Jillienne Cloud improve to a team-best 12-6 following today’s matches, while Ashleigh Adams and Julie Honzovicova improve to 11-6, Ellie Austin and Christine Jarman move to 10-8, and Kate McLaughlin and Logan Mignerey improve to 2-1.
UP NEXT
The Sandy Owls will close out play in DeLand on Saturday as they take on host No. 17 Stetson at 10 a.m., before playing their finale against FGCU at 4 p.m.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For updates, follow @FAUBeachVB on Twitter and Instagram, or like FAU Beach Volleyball on Facebook.
