Nov. 10, 2006

Final Stats

With a sweep of the University of South Alabama, the Florida Atlantic University volleyball team took its first step toward claiming the final seed in the Sun Belt Conference Championship next weekend. FAU defeated USA 30-21, 30-28, 31-29.

Krystena Castro (Nanuet, NY) led the FAU attack with 17 kills and only four errors to post a .419 hitting percentage. Iana Andonova and Justine Petry followed with 10 kills each.

The Owls' (10-17, 6-10 SBC) serving kept USA out of system and allowed FAU setter Casey LaRocca to distribute the ball. LaRocca finished with 38 assists in the match and led the team with three service aces. Kaila Janssen, Nikki Hartman and Cassi Ociesa all finished with two service aces to give the Owls their third highest total of the season with nine aces.

Strong defensive play held the Jaguars to a .140 hitting percentage. Krystena Castro finished with four blocks and three players chipped in double-digit digs for the Owls. Janssen led all players with 18 digs and Andonova and libero Nikki Hartman contributed 16.

In game two, USA tried to push the match into extra games as they tied the game at 28. Two consecutive attacking errors by the Jaguars gave FAU the 2-0 advantage.

South Alabama (5-23, 0-16 SBC) threatened again in game three and tied the contest at 29 before Castro connected on two of her kills. The freshman now leads the team with a .283 hitting percentage and averages 2.97 kills per game.

With a win on Saturday over Troy University, the Owls would clinch the no. 8 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament to be held Nov. 15-18 in Denton, TX. FAU entered the evening tied with UALR but the Trojans dropped their Friday night match.

FAU will honors it seniors, Iana Andonova and Cassi Ociesa, before the 2 p.m. match on Saturday.