Sept. 8, 2006

Final Stats

Iowa City, IA - A 19-kill effort from freshman Krystena Castro helped Florida Atlantic University pick up its first win of the season. The Owls defeated the University of Missouri-Kansas City 3-1 (30-27, 30-26, 26-30, 30-18) on Friday night at the Hawkeye-Holiday Inn Challenge. Castro's .533 hitting percentage contributed to the team's season-high .297 hitting percentage.

Game one was closely contested and UMKC (0-9) led 26-23 before FAU went on a 7-1 run behind the serving of libero Nikki Hartman to take the game. Justine Petry picked up two of her season-high 12 kills during the run and senior Janelle Sarauw added two of her 17 kills to take the early 1-0 lead.

After holding the lead for the last 20 points of game two, FAU suffered a set back in game three. With the scored tied at 24, the Kangaroos took advantage of four Owl errors to send the match to a fourth game.

The Owls (1-6) came out swinging in game four and posted a .538 hitting percentage with only two errors in the game. After jumping out to a 10-2 lead behind the serving of Hartman, the Owls controlled the Kangaroos' offense as they hit .000 for the game with nine kills and nine errors.

Hartman finished with a career-high 22 digs and setter Casey LaRocca dished out 51 assists as the Owls won the first of three matches at the University of Iowa.

Sarah Johnson posted 12 kills for UMKC and Lauren Starks led the defense with 14 digs. Kelly Gettinger dominated the net for the Kangaroos as she took part in seven of the team's 10 blocks.

On Saturday, FAU will face Tulane and the University of Iowa in the final day of the tournament.