Griffins Drop Opener But Bounce Back With Sweep Over Owls

MEMPHIS, Tenn.— The Fontbonne University women's volleyball team split its two games today as they fell to Louisiana College in straight sets (23-25, 12-25, 23-25) but bounced back with a dominant straight set (25-14, 25-10, 25-2) victory over Mississippi University for Women.

Louisiana College 3 Fontbonne 0

The Griffins, totaled 36 kills, a .121 hitting percentage and 51 digs against Louisiana College. Victoria Curtice led with her 12 kills and season-high .800 hitting percentage which is also a program record. Olivia Tallo also played well with her 11 kills and .214 hitting percentage.

The duo of Megan Schaller (13) and Abby Grmich (12) combined for 25 of the 35 assists, while Sarah Borgerding led them defensively with 13 digs.

Louisiana College (2-23), finished with a .323 hitting percentage and they were paced by Sadi Jones' 14 kills and .545 hitting percentage. Setter Paris Babino led with a match-high 33 assists, while Olivia Huval added 22 digs.

After trailing early in the first set, the Griffins were able to take the lead at 11-10 on consecutive service aces from Schaller. The two teams went point-for-point until LC regained the advantage at 15-14 on a block assist from Taylor Payne and Zharian Maxmillion.

Later in the set, LC led 24-19 but FBU got right back in it going on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit down to 24-23 on back-to-back kills from Tallo. However, Louisiana College was able to collect the final point and win 25-23.

In the second set, LC took advantage early by grabbing an 11-1 lead. FBU tried a middle of the set rally on Tallo's kill to cut the deficit down to 14-8 but Louisiana College cruised on from there for the 25-12 second set win.

In the third, the tables turned with the Griffins taking a 13-3 lead after a Louisiana College attack error. The team fended off LC up until the visitor's tied it at 22-22 on a FBU attack error. LC took the lead on the ensuing possession at 23-22 and never relinquished it from there, hanging on for the 25-23 set and match win.

Fontbonne 3 Mississippi University for Women 0

FBU played one its best matches to date with 39 kills, a season-high .479 hitting percentage, 11 service aces, 42 digs and 11 block assists against the Owls.

Kristina Eason totaled a match-high 14 kills and .684 hitting percentage in the win. Tallo, meanwhile, continued to play well with her 11 kills and .588 hitting percentage. Schaller led them in the assist department with 18 and collected 10 digs of her own, while Borrgerding finished with a match-high 15 digs.

The Owls had its struggles throughout with 14 kills and 19 errors for a -.062 hitting percentage. Catelyn Ruth led them on the offensive side of the net with five kills.

In the first, Fontbonne opened with a 13-7 lead after an Owls attack error. Later, a kill from Haley McMurphey made it a 16-12 outing, however, Fontbonne cruised the rest of the way, closing out on a 9-2 run to take the set, 25-14.

In the second, the Griffins continued its fast start, this time taking a 14-3 lead on consecutive kills from Eason. They rolled the rest of the way as they took a two sets to none lead by the score of 25-10.

It was all Fontbonne in the third set from the first service as they went on for the 25-2 set and match win.

The team returns to the court tomorrow afternoon against host Rhodes College. First-serve is set for 12 p.m.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the women's volleyball team.