Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball earned a 3–1 victory over Loyola Marymount on Saturday during the second day of the Nore-Stahl Classic hosted by Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona.
Julija Grubisic Cabo and
Barbara Koehler each finished with 11 kills to lead the Eagles (3–2), while
Camila Soto and
Catharina Scorza added eight apiece. Setter
Hanna Borer ran the offense with 20 assists and 16 digs, and
Erica Muhizi contributed seven block assists to go along with four kills.
FGCU hit .200 as a team, while holding LMU (0–3) to a .126 percentage overall. The Eagles also finished with 67 digs and 20 block assists.
"I was really proud of how we fought in the tough moments, especially in the first and fourth sets," head coach Thais Baziquetto-Allen said. "We trailed late in both of those sets but found a way to finish strong and win them. It was a team effort with a lot players contributing for us to get the win "
The opening set featured several lead changes before FGCU pulled ahead 18–14. LMU rallied with a 7–1 run to move in front, 21–19, but the Eagles answered with six straight points to close out a 25–21 win.
The Lions controlled the second set, racing to a 14–8 lead and stretching it with eight straight points to go up 22–8. FGCU responded with a short run, but LMU held on to even the match with a 25–13 victory.
FGCU flipped momentum in the third set, jumping out to a 15–6 lead. Grubisic Cabo sparked the offense with three kills during a late run as the Eagles rolled to a 25–14 win.
The fourth set remained tight throughout, with the teams tied at 14–14. FGCU inched ahead with a 9–7 spurt to lead 23–21 and held off the Lions down the stretch for a 25–23 victory to clinch the match.
The Eagles will next travel to the Coyote Invitational, hosted by South Dakota, beginning Thursday.
