TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — The Ave Maria Volleyball team lost Thursday night to the Florida College Falcons 3-0.

The season trend of not holding on to early leads continued for the Gyrenes against the Falcons. Ave Maria got off to a nice start in the first set, leading by three points multiple times. However, the Gyrenes let go of the early lead and fell stagnant as Florida College went on a 21-7 run to win the first frame 25-14.

The second set started out competitively as well, but the Gyrenes couldn't grab the lead in the early points. In the middle part of the set, the Falcons went on another big run, building up a nine-point lead.

Ave Maria responded with a 6-2 run of their own, one of their largest in the past few matches, but the deficit was too much to overcome. Florida College got the last few points they needed and took the second set 25-18.

The final set was the closest of the three, however, the Gyrenes only led after the first point. Ave Maria hung in with Florida College for most of the set but could never get back into striking distance as Florida College secured the match with a 25-19 win.

With the loss, Ave Maria's record falls to 1-14.

Elle Malczewski led the team in kills for the third time this season and first time since August 17 against Fisk in the Cumberland Phoenix Classic. She totaled eight kills.

Caroline Myers continues to be the leading setter for the Gyrenes with 18 assists on the night.

At the net, Beatriz Rissi and Lillian Dauses each had two blocks. Ines Lopes led the team defensively with 11 digs.

The Gyrenes comeback home for their next game as they host the Webber Warriors Saturday, October 5, 2024. It is part of a quadruple header of sports happening on campus on Saturday, with Cross Country, Women's Soccer and Football also at home. First serve is set for 2 p.m. and the game can be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.