MIAMI, Fla. – Kennesaw State claimed the first two sets Friday night before FIU rallied to hand the Owls a 3-2 (23-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-14, 15-13) setback in Conference USA volleyball action at Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Owls dropped to 6-9 overall and 0-3 in CUSA play following their fourth five-set match of the season.
STAT OF THE GAME
After hitting .400 in the second set to take a 2-0 lead, Kennesaw State was held below .180 in each of the final three sets, including .025 in the third and .038 in the fourth.
THE RUNDOWN
Set One – KSU 25, FIU 23
Kennesaw State built an early 7-3 advantage and later used a 5-0 run to take a 15-10 lead. FIU battled back and pulled within one at 24-23, but a Panther service error gave the Owls the opening set.
Set Two – KSU 25, FIU 17
The teams were tied at 15 before KSU took control, closing the set on a 10-2 run. Sowers recorded back-to-back aces during the stretch, while Hannah Pearce added another ace as the Owls took a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three – FIU 25, KSU 21
FIU scored the first five points of the third set and eventually pushed its lead to 20-14. Kennesaw State answered with five straight points to close within one at 20-19, but the Panthers responded by scoring five of the final seven points.
Set Four – FIU 25, KSU 14
The Panthers grabbed an early advantage and pulled away midway through the frame, hitting .333 in the set to force a deciding fifth.
Set Five – FIU 15, KSU 13
Kennesaw State opened the fifth with a 4-1 advantage and later led 8-5 following an Alexis Sowers kill. FIU came back to tie the score at 9-9 and eventually moved ahead 12-10. The Owls answered to tie the frame at both 12-12 and 13-13, but FIU claimed the final two points to complete the comeback.
NOTES
- Friday marked Kennesaw State's fourth five-set match of the season. The Owls are now 0-4 in five-set contests.
- It was KSU's first loss of the season after winning the opening two sets.
- Olivia Burrage recorded her second career double-double with 10 kills and 10 blocks, while hitting .467. Her 10 blocks tied her career high.
- Kourtney Brown posted a double-double with 32 assists and 15 digs.
- Alexis Sowers finished with a team-high 17 digs and two service aces.
- Haley Patterson led Kennesaw State with 12 kills.
- Kennesaw State held a 14-9 advantage in total blocks.
NEXT TIME OUT
Kennesaw State and FIU close out the two-match CUSA series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
