FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team surrendered a 3-2 loss Sunday against St. John's to close out the FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational.

FGCU looked comfortable in all facets as the Eagles snagged a quick 2-0 set lead, eyeing the sweep of the Red Storm. FGCU won the opening set 25-21 and followed with a 25-17 set-two victory.

St. John's had other other ideas.

"Lots of positives in the first three sets," head coach Matt Botsford said. "We saw a lot of things we can build on. We just couldn't adjust fast enough to the serving changes made my St. John's which ultimately affected our ability to run quality offense. I liked the work by our middles, and I thought we did well from the service line, but right now we have to focus on applying more pressure as attackers from our out of system looks."

The Red Storm stole the third set 25-20, extending the match. FGCU held a 15-12 lead midway through the third.

FGCU trailed 7-3 and 13-9 in the fourth set. The Eagles would reclaim the lead briefly at 18-17 with back-to-back points from freshman Ella Chapman. However, St. John's came on top 25-21, sending the match to a decisive fifth.

FGCU had little to answer to the Red Storm's new-found momentum. An Alexandra Zakutney block and a Claire Ertel ace tied the fifth set at six apiece, but St. John's managed to walk away with a 15-11 victory to seal the deal.

St. John's edged the Eagles at the service line 12-7, while the Eagles won the battle up at the net 10-9. 

Chapman and All-Tournament selection Juliana Lentz paced the Eagles with five blocks. Chapman earned her first career start Sunday.

Three Eagles reached double-figures in kills. Redshirt junior Courtney Glotzbach recorded a team-leading 13. Zakutkey produced a double-double effort with 14 digs and 10 kills.

FGCU returns to action Friday, Sept. 1, to take on Mercer in Tampa, Florida.

FGCU Homewood Suites Invitational All-Tournament Team:
MVP Marta Levinska (ASU)
Mary Schroll (ASU)
Geli Cry (ASU)
Wiktoria Kowalcyzk (St. John's)
Juliana Lentz (FGCU)
Sasha Ratliff (Ole Miss)

Final Standings:
Arizona State (Champions 3-0)
2nd St. John's (2-1)
3rd FGCU (1-2)
4th Ole Miss (0-3)