FLORENCE, Ala. — Florida Gulf Coast University's volleyball team fell 3–2 to North Alabama Sunday afternoon, dropping its first Atlantic Sun Conference match of the season. UNA snapped FGCU's 5–0 ASUN winning streak and earned its first win over the Eagles in program history. Jacksonville now stands as the sole undefeated team in league play this season.
Despite the loss, several Eagles (10-6, 5-1 ASUN) posted standout performances.
Julija Grubisic Cabo notched her sixth double-double of the season with 17 kills and 11 digs.
Abby Toeniskoetter achieved a career-high 12 kills, while
Ava Smith also reached a personal best with 11 kills. Setter
Eliska Vytiskova recorded a double-double as well, contributing 23 assists and 10 digs.
FGCU grabbed the first set 25–17 after building a 21–13 lead, boosted by four kills from Grubisic Cabo. In the second set, the teams traded leads, but FGCU pulled ahead at 21–18, Smith added four kills in that stretch and held on to win 25–23 despite a late UNA rally.
North Alabama (10-9, 4-2 ASUN) dominated the third, racing to a 20–13 advantage and closing it out 25–16. In set four, the Lions again surged to a 21–15 lead; though FGCU fought back with three straight points, UNA sealed the set 25–20.
The decisive fifth set was tightly contested through the midpoint, with UNA reaching 8–5 before FGCU knotted it at 8–8. From there, the Lions pulled away to win 15–11.
The Eagles return home Friday to host Lipscomb (7–9, 3–3 ASUN) at 6 p.m for Taylor Swift Night.
