AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team won their first non-conference game of the 2020 season, defeating the Conquistadors of Florida National University in four sets. The Gyrenes bounced back from a 30-28 defeat in the opening set to claim three straight sets, 25-13, 25-18, 25-18. The win moved Ave Maria to 5-2 on the season, and marked AMU's sixth consecutive victory in the series against FNU.
In the first set, Ave Maria saw a big lead slip away, as the Conquistadors were able to claim a 30-28 win. The Gyrenes were in control for most of the set, and led 24-19 in the closing moments. However, FNU scored five consecutive points to even the match at 24. Ave Maria had three more game points, but were stymied each time before Florida National was able to clinch the set thanks to a rotation error by AMU.
After letting the first set slip away, the Gyrenes absolutely dominated in the second set. AMU jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the opening moments of the set, and never looked back to even the match at one set a piece. Ave Maria logged a .556 hitting percentage during the second frame, and never trailed en route to a 25-13 triumph.
Ave Maria continued their attack in the pivotal third set, taking control of the match with a 25-18 victory. An early run proved to be the difference for the Gyrenes, as AMU went on an 11-3 run to blow open the set from 4-3 to 15-6. The only lead the Conquistadors could manage was 1-0, with back-to-back points from the Gyrenes giving AMU the lead for good. A Madelyn Haut kill sealed the win, giving AMU a 2-1 lead.
Much of the fourth set remainded tight between the Gyrenes and the Conquistadors, but another AMU run allowed Ave to seal their fifth win of the season. Holding an 11-10 lead, the Gyrenes proceeded to score seven of the next eight points to extend their lead to 17-11. Ave Maria's lead remained at least five points throughout the remainder of the match, and ended the affair with a kill from Flavia Rusterholz.
The Ave Maria attack was excellent on Tuesday night, with four Gyrenes logging more than ten kills. Cabriella Bouterse led the way with 14 kills, while Rusterholz followed with 13. Zelie Kessler and Madelyn Haut rounded out the group with 12 and 11 kills, respectively. Lily Witkoski spread the wealth around with 47 assists, and logged a double-double with 12 digs. Victoria Schein led all players with 26 digs, while Haut posted five block assists.
AMU returns to conference play on Saturday, with a road game against the Warriors of Webber International University. Opening serve between the Gyrenes and the Warriors is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Babson Park.
