Aug. 26, 2006

Final Stats

In the first match of the season on Friday evening, Florida Atlantic University dropped a three-game match to Montana State University on the first day of the Holiday Inn Classic in Bozeman, MT. Casey LaRocca posted a double-double with 34 assists and a career-high 13 digs to lead the Owls.

MSU (1-0) opened the match with an early 5-1 lead before FAU (0-1) rallied to take a 17-12 advantage on an Iana Andonova (Margate, FL) block. The two teams then traded points before the game was knotted at 27. Two MSU kills and an FAU attacking error gave the home team the game one victory.

In game two, Florida Atlantic jumped out to an early 14-3 lead as Andonova picked up five of her match-high 21 kills. Then the momentum shifted to Montana State and again the two teams fought to the end with FAU taking a 31-30 advantage. Two MSU kills and an FAU error found the Owls down 2-0.

Once again, FAU jumped out to an early led but couldn't hang on. Florida Atlantic led 10-4 before the Bobcats went on a tear and hit .405 in the game. Kim Stonehouse led the MSU attack with 13 kills, while Lauren Viren recorded 13 digs in the win.

Janelle Sarauw (St. Thomas, V.I.) finished 11 kills in 21 attempts for a .3381 hitting percentage. Defensively, Andonova added 12 digs and freshman Nikki Hartman (Deltona, FL) made her collegiate debut with 10 digs.

In the opening match of the Holiday Inn Classic, Creighton defeated Nevada 3-0.

The Owls will close out the tournament with a 2 p.m. match with Nevada and a 6:30 p.m. meeting with Creighton on Saturday.