TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team could not get any momentum going in their first in-state contest of the 2025 season, falling in straight sets to the Falcons of Florida College at Conn Gymnasium. The Gyrenes, playing their first true road match of the season, dropped a 25-22, 25-11, 25-16 decision to the Falcons, falling to 0-5 on the young season. 

Ave Maria started fast in the opening set, taking advantage of Florida College errors to jump out to a 3-1 lead. Florida College responded with seven of the next eight points, opening up an 8-4 lead they would not relinquish. The Falcons led by as many as seven points in the opening set, with the latest lead coming at 19-12. Late in the set, Ave Maria was able to turn away two straight set points to get the Florida College lead down to 24-22, but fell following a kill from the Falcons.

The Gyrenes played well early in the second set, leading for most of the first 13 points. Holding a 7-6 lead, the Gyrenes then saw the Falcons record 16 of the next 17 points, with Florida College turning a one-point deficit into a 22-8 lead. The Falcons cruised from there, putting the set away on a kill from Fiona Sampaio, finishing off a 25-11 victory.

Florida College kept the momentum going into the third set, racing out to a 13-5 lead. Ave Maria answered with some of their best volleyball of the night, getting the Florida College lead down to one point on three occasions at 15-14, 16-15, and 17-16. That rally fell short, though, as the Falcons ended the night with eight consecutive points, winning the clinching set by a 25-16 score.

Senior Elle Malczewski led the Ave Maria efforts on the attack, finishing with seven kills. The setting duties were split by Megan Klockner and Caroline Myers, who combined for 17 assists. Defensively, Maylis DeTar led the back line with nine digs, while Beatriz Rissi recorded a pair of solo blocks.

There will be little rest for the Gyrenes, who return to Southwest Florida to prepare for Wednesday's home opener. The Gyrenes will play host to the Conquistadors of Florida National University, with opening serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Tom Golisano Field House. The Gyrenes have won 13 consecutive matches against FNU, a streak that dates back to the 2018 season.