Oct. 29, 2005

Final Stats

With a 3-0 win over Jacksonville University on Saturday afternoon, Florida Atlantic University's volleyball team claimed its second consecutive Atlantic Sun Conference Title. The Owls controlled the match by holding JU to a .190 hitting percentage as the Dolphins suffered their first conference loss of the year and had its 16-match winning streak in A-Sun play snapped.

In game one both teams struggled offensively hitting under .100. But a tight race in game two saw FAU sneak away with a 32-30 win. JU (11-13, 6-1 A-Sun) took a 28-27 lead but FAU fought back to tie the match on a Kelly Paiva kill. Paiva finished with a match-high 18 kills in the effort. The squads traded points before Casey LaRocca recorded a service ace for the game two win and the momentum.

FAU (24-2, 8-0 A-Sun) never trailed in game three to avenge two losses to the Dolphins last season, including a conference tournament defeat.

The Dolphins recorded 47 kills. Petya Borisova led the JU offense with 12 followed by 11 from Danielle Neville and Eva Stoilova. Service aces hurt the team and gave FAU 13 free points. Borisova and Stoilova both finished with double-doubles by contributing 15 and 16 digs, respectively.

Following Paiva's offensive performance, Janelle Sarauw added eight kills in 13 attempts for a .462 hitting percentage. Libero Makra Condill added 14 digs and was followed by 12 from setter Casey LaRocca and 11 from Dimitra Samas. LaRocca also dished out 37 assists as FAU tallied a .218 hitting percentage.

FAU will square off with South Florida rival Florida International on Wednesday in Miami before hosting its final match of the season and honoring its seniors on Saturday against East Tennessee State University at 2 pm.