HIALEAH, Fla. ( Nov. 3, 2023) – Despite escaping the sweep earlier in the season, Florida National University’s women’s volleyball team fell 3-0 to the Webber International University Warriors at home. This Friday night battle was an evenly matched affair, with both teams attacking right at the heart of each other’s defenses. FNU put up 25 kills in the loss but allowed Webber to boast 47 kills in the contest.
In the first set, Webber took a 1-0 lead with a 25-13 rout in the opening game. Webber’s defense held FNU’s Layla Cortez to just two kills in the frame while Teodora Ranitovic picked up a block and an assisted block in the frame. Webber cruised into the second half with 17 kills and just three errors committed, while FNU’s offense was relatively quiet with six kills and five errors.
The second set was extremely contentious with Webber sneaking away with a 28-26 after a heads-up timeout trailing FNU 24-22. The Warriors went on to tie the frame on two back-to-back kills from Bailey Sikkema. A strong score from Brianna Grabowski tied the set once again at 26 all before a kill from Webber’s Teodora Ranitovic put the visitors back in front. A bad set from Taysha Ortega ended the game in favor of the Warriors and put them ahead 2-0.
The third and final frame of the evening was another dominant performance for WIU. Webber had 12 kills to FNU’s five despite Juliana Santos getting things started for FNU with three service aces that gave the Conquistadors a 5-1 lead early on in the set. But adjustments from Webber towards the middle of the court and at the net iced out the Conquistadors at home, 25-18.
Cortez had just eight kills in the loss while Gabriela Gonzalez had a huge game at the net with three solo blocks. Taylor Purdy had a team-high 18 digs while Ivette Sandoval and Ortega combined for 21 assists.
Up Next: FNU has one more match before the CAC Tournament. The Conquistadors host Ave Maria University on Nov. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
