Sept. 20, 2008
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Owls bid for their second consecutive win was stopped on Saturday after Florida Gulf Coast defeated the Black and Gold, 3-0 (25-14, 25-5, 25-19) at the KSU Convocation Center.
Things started off well for Kennesaw State (2-10, 1-4 A-Sun) as they stayed within striking distance of the Eagles early in the match. Eight ties throughout the first 22 points saw KSU tied at 11-11 before Florida Gulf Coast (5-5, 4-0) turned the tide of the match to remain undefeated in the conference.
A kill by Asjia Stokes, who had three kills, tied the score, but a kill by Ana Kakanovic sparked an 11-2 surge as the Eagles took control of the first set. The Owls were outscored, 14-3 after being tied. Rachel Albright led KSU with six assists in the first set for the Owls.
The second set saw Kennesaw State again win the first point of the set before an onslaught by the Eagles. FGCU registered 12 kills and four blocks in the second set as they scored a, 25-5, win to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Kennesaw State had a solid third set as the Owls took their biggest lead of the afternoon, winning three of the first four points of the set. A service error and an attack error by FGCU was followed by a Paris Leonce kill for a 3-1 Kennesaw State advantage. Five straight points by FGCU, including kills by Catilin Sawyer and Cheyenne Jenks, gave the visitors a 6-3 advantage.
After a shakeup in the lineup, the Owls were twice able to come within a point of the Eagles and found themselves in the set when a kill by Sabrita Gulley pulled KSU within two points at 10-8. However, two kills by Kakanova fueled a 7-0 surge. The Owls were not able to come within four points the rest of the set.
Kokanovic recorded a match-high eight kills for FGCU while Shawyer had six kills and a .455 hitting percentage for FGCU who had 37 kills in the match and a .400 hitting percentage. Gulley and Callie Chruchwell had five kills in the match and Tara Dillon had 10 assists in the third set for KSU.
The Owls will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they host UT-Chattanooga at 7:00 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
