|
11/6/2009 -
Owls Flustered by Eagles in A-Sun Match of the Week
|
Print
KENNESAW, Ga. - Asjia Stokes had 16 kills and Callie Churchwell had seven total blocks, but it wasn't enough as Florida Gulf Coast erased a 10-8 deficit in the final set to defeat Kennesaw State 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 13-25, 25-16, 15-12) Friday night at the KSU Convocation Center in an Atlantic Sun Conference match.
"I have to commend our defensive effort with our digging and blocking," said KSU head coach Karen Weatherington who saw her team out-block FGCU 11-5 and out-dig the Eagles 73-67. "Blocking really helps to contain good teams like Florida Gulf Coast. Mentally, we came in scared of FGCU, but we overcame that today. We matured as a team today."
After being blown out in Fort Myers, Fla., earlier this season, the Owls (15-10, 9-8) came out with something to prove against the Eagles. After dropping the first set, KSU stormed through sets two and three, siding out FGCU (15-10, 14-4) on 73 percent of its serves en route to a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Eagles came back in the fourth set as the Owls struggled against the service game and faster-paced attack of the visiting squad. The Eagles took the fourth set, 25-16, setting up a decisive final set.
The final set would prove to be a tour de force for Jelena Simic of FGCU. "Simic just came up with plays that are undefineable," Coach Weatherington said. "We were able to contain her somewhat for the first four sets, but she took over the final set. It wasn't just Player of the Week material, it was potential Player of the Year material."
