Nov. 7, 2001

Final Stats

In an exciting, closely contested match, Florida International University (19-6) pulled out a four-game victory (28-30, 30-24, 30-28, 31-29) over Florida Atlantic University (11-15) to spoil Senior Night at FAU gym. Ashley Bodily and Marja Valkeavuori were honored in their final regular season game at FAU.

The Lady Owls jumped out to an early lead in game-one going up 2-6 before the Panthers rallied back to tie the score at 15. But a block by Gracie Heim and Lindsey Bell put FAU ahead for good. FIU continued to fight back and gave the Lady Owls a run for their money as they brought the score to 29-28 but a block solo by Jeana Boyle, who collected a game-high two solo blocks, closed out the game.

FAU lost their offense in game two as they hit .000 compared to FIU's .290. The story was flip-flopped in game-three as FAU out-hit and out-blocked their opponent but still dropped game-three. Florida Atlantic had a chance to win the game with the score tied at 28 and the serve. But a service error by Danyielle Smith (Seminole, FL) and a service ace by FIU's Nirvana Kos, who tallied five service aces, closed out the game and gave FIU a 2-1 lead.

After falling behind 13-10 in game-four, the Lady Owls went on an 11-1 run with Kari Daily's serving. She served up nine points and Heim put away three kills during the spurt, to give the home team a lift. But FAU let it slip through their fingers as FIU tied the game at 28 when Nirvana Kos found a hole through the FAU block. Another kill by Kos and a game winning attack by Charlyn Ball-Llovera sealed the game for the Golden Panthers.

FAU's seniors were the only players posting double-digit digs as Bodily compiled 14 and Valkeavuori 12. Gracie Heim was the offensive threat for the Lady Owls as she had 17 kills in 40 attempts.

Florida Atlantic finishes the season with a (11-15, 7-3 A-Sun) record and will compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament next Friday and Saturday in Boca Raton, FL. The team awaits seeding as conference teams continue play.