GULF SHORES, Ala. – The 12th-ranked Florida Atlantic University beach volleyball team made history on Wednesday morning. In their first ever NCAA Division I Championship Tournament appearance, the eighth-seeded Sandy Owls defeated ninth-seeded Stanford, 3-0, for the program’s first NCAA win.
OWLS RACE TO HISTORIC WINVs. (9) Stanford (W, 3-0)
FAU (23-10) captured the historic victory by taking all three of the matches that were decided first. On court No. 2, Marketa Svozilova and Courtney Moon earned a three-set win (21-15, 8-21, 15-9). Moon recorded 18 kills on 28 attempts, while Svozilova racked up 11 kills during the match.
The duo of Christine Jarman and Jillienne Cangelosi earned a two-set win in court No. 4 (21-18, 21-16). Cangelosi tallied 14 kills, while Jarman recorded 10. Cangelosi moves into a tie for third place all-time in FAU history in wins with 66.
The court No. 5 squad of Mica Allison and Abby Jackson clinched the match for FAU in their third set. Allison and Jackson took set one, 21-15, before dropping set two, 21-14, then rallying for a 15-12 match-clinching win. Jackson had a big day with 21 kills including the match point.
Mackenzie Morris and Erica Brok were entering the third set in court No. 1 after splitting the first two (21-18, 19-21) before the match was clinched. On court No. 3, Ellie Austin and Julie Honzovicova were trailing 14-12 in the final set after dropping set one, 21-13, but winning set two, 21-18. Austin earned a match-high 28 kills.
ELITE EIGHT ON FRIDAYThe Sandy Owls will now await the winner of the No. 1 seed USC and the No. 16 seed UT Martin. The Owls’ upcoming match, which is the Elite Eight, begins a double elimination format. USC and UT Martin play at 1 p.m. on May 4.
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