Nov. 1, 2002

Final Stats

In the final conference match of the season, Florida Atlantic University dropped a four-game match to Jacksonville University as the Owls fall to 13-14, 8-3 in the Atlantic Sun. FAU is assured a spot in the A-Sun Tournament while Jacksonville sits on the bubble with only one A-Sun match remaining on their schedule. With the win, JU improves to 13-12, 6-4 in conference play.

After trailing by as many as six points at 15-9, Jacksonville University slowly chipped away before tying the first game at 22. The Dolphins took the lead on a solo block by Kristy Smith before FAU was forced to call its first timeout of the night.The time lapse was not enough to change momentum as JU went on a 7-4 run to close out the game.

Jacksonville was able to keep the momentum as they took an early 4-0 lead into game two behind the serving of Kristy Smith and the squad went on to take the second game easily. FAU never led in the game.

With their backs against the wall and trailing 18-20 the Owls used the aggressive serving of Danyielle Smith (Seminole, FL) to move their way back into the match. Smith served six straight points to give the Owls the lead. But with the Owls sitting on a 29-26 lead, the Dolphins fought back to take the game into extra points. Abby Miner (Largo, FL) was finally able to close it out with one of her 10 kills in the game. She helped FAU post its highest hitting percentage in game three, .288, after the team tallied 24 kills.

Florida Atlantic again took a 29-27 lead in the fourth game, but JU was able to pull out the victory with a block assist by Kristy Smith and Danielle Neville.

JU was led by outside hitter Radka Dimitrova with 20 kills and 18 digs. Freshman middle blocker, Iana Andonova led the Owls with a career-high 21 kills. Jeana Boyle posted a season-high 18 digs to lead FAU defensively. The junior from Boca Raton, FL also posted her 1000th season assist by dishing out 58 assists.

FAU will honor its seniors on November 5th as it hosts Florida International University in the final home match at 7 pm. When the two teams meet earlier this season, Florida Atlantic pulled out a five-game win over the Panthers.