MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team made program history on Saturday afternoon, running their winning streak to 12 matches with a three-set sweep of the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The Gyrenes came from behind in each of the last two sets, but vanquished the Lions for their 12th straight win, breaking the record the 2021 Gyrenes set en route to a Sun Conference Tournament title.
The Gyrenes were in control for much of the first set, racing ahead thanks to an 10-2 run early in the frame. Florida Memorial had an early 3-0 lead, but the AMU run gave the Gyrenes a lead they would not relinquish. Ave Maria led for the remainder of the set, never leading by fewer than two points. Florida Memorial fought off AMU's first attempt at set point, but a service error secured a 25-19 victory for the visitors.
Florida Memorial looked to have the second set in their grasp, twice holding leads of six points at 17-11 and 19-13. As they have all season, the Gyrenes would not go away, going on a 6-1 run to cut the FMU lead to 20-19. The Lions pushed their lead back up to 23-20, but AMU responded with five unanswered points to win the set. The Gyrenes took advantage of three consecutive FMU errors, then clinched the set with a Katie Grose ace and a kill from Madelyn Haut.
In the third set, the Gyrenes again needed a late surge to secure their fifth consecutive victory over the Lions. Florida Memorial led by as many as four points during the frame, and held a late lead of 19-17. This time, Ave Maria's answer was a 7-1 run, turning that 19-17 deficit into a 24-20 lead. Florida Memorial scored two straight points on AMU's first two chances at match point, but a Katie Grose kill concluded matters for Ave Maria.
Ave Maria capitalized on Florida Memorial mistakes in the victory, as the Lions committed 17 attack errors and 13 service errors. Despite five fewer kills overall, the Gyrenes were the more efficient team on the attack, logging a .250 attack percentage while the host Lions logged a .218 mark.
Senior outside hitter Cabriella Bouterse again led the Gyrenes on the attack, racking up ten kills on just 15 swings. Katie Grose did a little of everything from the setter position, putting up 13 assists, five digs, two blocks, and two aces. Lily Witkoski had seven digs and six assists, while Victoria Schein added six digs and six assists from the libero position.
AMU will have a chance to take a two-game lead in The Sun Conference standings this coming week, as the Gyrenes will head back to Miami Gardens for a meeting with the second place St. Thomas University Bobcats. A win on Wednesday night would give AMU a critical season sweep over the Bobcats, and would put the Gyrenes two games clear of the Bobcats in the conference standings with the tiebreaker in their possession.
