BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic volleyball had a record-breaking Saturday, setting a new program record for single-game service aces with 20, en route to a dominant 3-0 sweep against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
“I’m happy with how we played this weekend,” expressed head coach Fernanda Nelson. “Today playing Bethune-Cookman, I told the girls that we needed to come out strong and really put them away. The goal is to continually get better, we have a lot of work to do, but I felt that we had a good week of preparation, and we played strong this weekend. I loved how we came in, we served well, and I felt the speed of the game was faster on our side of the court. I’m super proud of the girls and can’t wait to get back to work.”
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 3 – BETHUNE-COOKMAN 0
The Owls closed out the Owls Paradise Classic in impressive fashion on Saturday, earning their third sweep of the weekend against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
Katelynn Robine led the Owls with nine kills, while also tying her career-high with six service aces and adding four digs. Isabelle Northam set a new career-best with seven service aces in the match, in addition to tying for a team-high nine digs. Victoria Hensley led the Owls with 29 assists and also registered a team-leading three blocks in the win.
Arianna Beckham was named Owls Paradise Classic All-Tournament Team MVP, while Victoria Hensley and Noelle Stephens were also honored with All-Tournament team selections for the Owls.
The Owls never let off the pedal from start to finish. Florida Atlantic opened the contest on a 5-1 run. The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats made it 10-5 Owls, however the Owls closed the opening frame on a 15-6 run, capped off by a kill from Madison Dyer to take the early 1-0 lead.
Florida Atlantic produced an 8-4 to open the second, before Isabelle Northam recorded five-straight service aces and tacked on a sixth after a Wildcat service error to take a 16-4 advantage in set two. The Wildcats produced a 4-0 run of their own to cut into the Owls’ lead at 17-8, however Florida Atlantic closed the set on an 8-4 run to take the 25-12 win and the two-set advantage.
The Wildcats held a 5-4 lead to open the third, but it was short-lived as the Owls scored five unanswered to take a 9-5 lead. Florida Atlantic held a 20-9 lead before the Wildcats tried to make a run outscoring the Owls 9-5 over the remainder of the set, but it was just too little too late as the Owls captured the 25-18 win to complete the sweep.
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will close out non-conference next weekend as the Owls head to Fort Myers for the FGCU Classic on Sept. 15-16.
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