By: by Jason Hanes
Box Score
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."
Simic had five of her match-high 23 kills in the final set, but the Owls still had a chance after kills by Churchwell, Holly Knight and Sabrita Gulley gave the Owls a 10-8 lead. The teams traded points, with Ginny Frederick putting home an attack to extend KSU's lead back to two, 11-9. That would prove to be the last point the Owls would win with a kill on the night, as five straight points would give the Eagles match point, 14-11. The first one would go by the wayside, but a kill by Jacqueline Cowden gave the visitors a 15-12 win in the set.
Both teams had 61 kills and 25 errors in the match, but the Eagles had nine more attack attempts. Knight was one of three Owls in double-digits with kills, earning a season-high 10. Sabrita Gulley had a double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs, while Chelsea Denesha had 17 digs, eight kills, and seven assists. Setter Rachael Albright earned her 1,000th career assist with the Owls and also tacked on a double-double with 22 assists and 13 digs.
Simic was joined in the kill department by Emma Racila's 14 and Anna Wagner's 11. Setter Chandra Lefever had a double-double with 53 assists and 13 digs.
The Owls will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for Senior Day as Stetson visits the KSU Convocation Center. Match time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
