AVE MARIA, Fla. — After 1,805 days, Ave Maria Volleyball is finally back home. The Gyrenes played their first game in the newly renovated Tom Golisano Field House Thursday evening since 2019. Unfortunately, the Ave Maria could not cap off the historic night with a win, falling to the Florida College Falcons 3-1.
Florida College took the first set 25-21. The Gyrenes led for a good portion of the set to start the match, even getting out to a six-point lead. However, the Falcons battled back and went on a five-point run late in the set to take the lead. The two teams went back-and-forth after that, but the Falcons never relinquished the lead.
In the second set, Ave Maria won their first set in the renovated field house, beating the Falcons 25-18. The frame was very similar to the first set, however the two teams flipped roles. Florida College got out to the early lead in the second set and even led by six. Ave Maria worked their way back to a tie at 15 all. From that point, the Gyrenes went on a tear, winning 10 of the last 13 points to take the set. During the run, the scoring was shared by five different Gyrenes. The biggest contributor to the run was attack errors from Florida College.
Knotted at one set apiece, the third frame was the most lopsided of the whole match. Florida College cruised to a 25-14 victory.
With their backs against the wall, Ave Maria battled hard in the fourth set but was always just a point or two behind the Falcons. Florida College scored first and never looked back. Ave Maria tied it three separate times in the set but couldn't find a way to pass the Falcons. After tying the set at 18, Florida College scored three straight points which was enough of a buffer to win the set and the match.
Beatriz Rissi led the team with 10 kills in the match, her second double-digit match of the season. Rissi was also tied for the lead in blocks, matching Ryan Getz with two. Getz was tied for another team lead, matching Caroline Myers with 15 assists. Ines Lopes led the team defensively with 19 digs. Greta Heiney also hit double digits defensively with 11 digs.
With the loss the Gyrenes are still looking for their first win of the season.
Ave Maria returns to the court Saturday, September 7, and is on the road for their first conference match of the season against the New College Mighty Banyans. This is the inaugural season for New College who joined the Sun Conference July 1 and will be the first ever meeting between the Gyrenes and Mighty Banyans on the volleyball court.
