Sept. 29, 2007

BOCA RATON, FL - Hours removed from a demanding five-game victory over South Alabama, the Florida Atlantic University volleyball team fell to Troy in three games (22-30, 19-30, 33-35) on Saturday.

Troy got out to a quick 11-4 lead as the Owls were visibly trying to shake off the effects of Friday's match. Kendall Utz and Casey LaRocca each powered serving runs that pulled FAU to within with two points at 15-13. The Trojans responded with a 10-4 run to regain control of the game en route to a 30-22 triumph.

The Trojans also got off to a quick start and held a 19-11 lead midway through the game. Mallory Deneen's serving helped FAU reel off four consecutive points to narrow the lead to four. However, Troy again answered with a 10-4 run to close out the game and take a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

Scoring runs were the story through much of game three as the serving of Deneen and Katie Arvidson helped FAU to a 12-7 game three lead. Troy, as it did the entire match, countered with a scoring spree of its own and cut the lead to one, 19-18. The Owls answered with a 6-1 run to take a 25-19 lead. Troy came back with yet another 10-4 run to tie the game at 29. The two teams traded points until Jennifer White and Kerry Heinz teamed for a block and Megan Henderson found a hole in the FAU defense to put the match away for the Trojans.

Arvidson led FAU with 11 kills on the day. The Owls fall to 6-9 overall and 3-2 in Sun Belt play. The Owls return to action on Tuesday night when they travel to Miami to take on rival Florida International. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start time.