VERMILLION, SD — Florida Gulf Coast University's volleyball team battled through five sets but eventually fell 3-2 to South Dakota Friday. It was the Eagles' second match of the Coyote Invitational.
Despite the loss, two FGCU players set career highs:
Barbara Koehler had 18 kills, and
Iyanna Battle added 11 from 22 attacks (.455).
"We battled hard in a great environment on the road tonight," Thais Baziquetto-Allen said. "The ball didn't bounce our way a couple of times and in as tight of a match as it was, that was the difference. We did a lot of good things tonight and will be better in the long run because of this match."
In the first set, the Eagles (3-4) built a 17-13 cushion before South Dakota (6-2) rallied with a 7-3 run to even the set at 20-20. The Eagles responded and edged the Coyotes to win it, 25-23.
The Green & Blue opened the second set similarly and led 20-16, but South Dakota closed with an 8-3 run to go up 24-23. FGCU responded with a 4-1 surge, including three kills from
Julija Grubisic Cabo, to win the set, 27-25.
South Dakota grabbed a 16-13 lead in the third set, their first time in the match. FGCU tied it at 18-18, but the Coyotes pulled away to take it 25-20.
In the fourth set, South Dakota appeared to have the Eagles' offense figured out, leading 21-16 before FGCU trimmed it to 21-19 with a mini 3-0 run. It was not enough, and South Dakota won the set, 25-21.
Every point mattered in the fifth set, with both teams deadlocked at 4-4. South Dakota edged ahead 11-10 and eventually won it, 15-13.
On the service line, the Eagles held a 7-4 advantage.
Hanna Borer had a season-best 34 assists.
FGCU plays its final match of the tournament Saturday morning against Green Bay at 11 a.m.
