HIALEAH, FL – The weekend of August 26th and 27th brought great success and pride to Florida National University (FNU), more specifically, the Lady Conquistadors Volleyball Team. The team, led by Head Coach Carlos Huaroto-Luque, traveled north to Jacksonville, FL to compete in the annual Edward Waters College Fall Classic. After coming up short in their previous match versus Missouri Baptist University (ranked #2 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), the ladies were determined to leave the tournament victorious and that they did. The tournament featured our Lady Conquistadors participating in a 4 game slate, with doubleheaders on both days. With matches against Johnson and Wales University, Ave Maria University, Concordia College and Tougaloo College, the team certainly had their hands full, yet still rose to the occasion and won the tournament in dominating fashion, only losing 1 set in total and sweeping the 4 games!
FNU versus Johnson and Wales University
WIN: 3-0 : 25-12, 25-11, 25-8
FNU vs Ave Maria University
WIN: 3-1: 25-22, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22
FNU vs Concordia College
WIN: 3-0: 25-10, 25-19, 25-19
FNU vs. Tougaloo College
WIN: 3-0: 25-23, 25-11, 25-20
In regards to how winning the championship felt, Setter and Team Captain Bianca Baez stated, “I feel good. As a team, we feel more confidence. Over the weekend, the team created a unique bond and we are a step closer to Nationals.” Not only did we take home the championship, Outside Hitter and Team Captain Silvia Galeano, a transfer student from Park University, was honored as the All-Tournament Top Performer. When asked how the individual accomplishment felt, Galeano humbly said, “It was awesome. I’ve been working really hard to get past an injury, so it was a tough time, but with the help of my team and the coaching staff, I was able to accomplish the goals we set together.”
After an offseason of hard-work and high expectations, the Lady Conquistadors are off to a fast start, boasting a 6-1 record and are primed to have the best year in the program’s history.
