BABSON PARK, Fla. ( Sept. 8, 2023) – Florida National University’s women’s volleyball team (0-1) faced its first setback of the 2023 season, falling to the Webber International University Warriors (5-4), 3-1 Friday. The Conquistadors started this season with a sweep of the University of the Bahamas on August 25 but faced some early season adversity in its first taste of NAIA action.
In the first set, FNU failed to get the first point of the match, losing 16-25 to the Warriors. The Warriors racked up 10 kills and three service aces en route to their 1-0 lead. Layla Cortez, Gabriela Gonzalez and Brianna Grabowski owned the first four kills for the Conquistadors as they tried to work their way back into the game in the second.
Webber continued to build on their momentum in the first frame, defeating FNU 25-16 standing just one set shy of victory. The Warriors had 25 kills and recorded a .385% hitting average. While FNU hovered at a .130% hitting average but racked up seven kills.
The Conquistadors put their foot down in the third, winning the set 25-22 to extend the game. Cortez was credited with seven kills in the third and, despite the Warriors performing three blocks, a Cortez kill set up by Ivette Sandoval secured FNU’s lone point of the evening.
The fourth set saw Webber ice out FNU once again, taking an 18-14 lead down the stretch. An attack error by Cortez ended the game. Gonzalez and Cortez combined for 18 kills while Taysha Ortega picked up a team-high 16 assists. Dig specialist Juliana Santos was clutch on the court tallying 10 for the match.
Up Next: FNU faces a tri-match at Florida Memorial University taking on the host Lions at 12 p.m. and Edward Waters at 2 p.m.
