After an all-time classic on Friday, No. 6 seed Florida Atlantic faced off against No. 2 Seed Rice (19-8, 13-4 AAC). The Clash of the Owls was won by FAU in the regular season, as Rice looked to earn the victory at the tournament. Florida Atlantic came back after trailing 2-0 to earn the victory in another five set thriller.
To start, set one was even at 11. Florida Atlantic then started to pull away thanks to the help of a 4-0 run, 14-11 FAU. Rice responded with a 6-0 run taking the advantage in the set at 17-14. After falling behind by three, Florida Atlantic found a way to even the set at 19 as Rice called a timeout. Rice gained a two point lead at 22-20. FAU afterwards, managed to bring the set within one, but Rice reached set-point and then eventually the victory at 25-23 to take the first set.
Set two was close early as both squads worked their way to a 7-7 tie. Rice then scored five straight to take command of the set at 12-7. FAU kept the set within five at 14-9, but Rice stretched their lead to nine at 18-9. Rice kept control of the set taking the second 25-14.
Florida Atlantic responded nicely in the third opening the set with an 8-4 lead thanks to a Kaila Ru kill. FAU stretched their lead to five thanks to a Katelynn Robine kill, 11-6 Florida Atlantic. Rice cut into the lead, and then eventually brought the set within one at 14-13. Afterwards, thanks to a three point run, FAU stretched their lead to four, 17-13. Rice then went on a 6-1 run to take their first lead in the set at 19-18. Florida Atlantic clawed back and took the lead back at 20-19. There, FAU stretched their lead by three, 23-20. Rice fought back, but Florida Atlantic held, winning the set 25-22.
Ahead 2-1, Rice opened set four with a 9-6 lead. After falling behind by five, FAU responded with a 6-0 run to bring the set within one, 12-11. Finding themselves, down two, Rice evened the set at 15. Florida Atlantic responded with a 3-0 run, giving the Owls of FAU an 18-15 advantage. Florida Atlantic extended their lead to four, 23-19. FAU commanded the ending of the set to win 25-20.
Just like Friday, it was time for a fifth set. FAU opened the set with a 5-3 lead thanks to a 4-0 run. The run continued, for Florida Atlantic as FAU took a commanding 8-3 lead at the side change. Florida Atlantic took a 9-3 lead, but Rice cut into the deficit as FAU led 10-6. Florida Atlantic responded with a 3-0 run taking a 13-6 lead; two points away from a championship berth. After reaching match-point, Rice responded with a 4-0 run to bring the set within four as Florida Atlantic called a timeout. Valeria Rosado (pictured above, center, Evert Nelson and The American)and Madison Dyer got the game-winning block sending the FAU Owls to the AAC Championship.
Katelynn Robine led the Owls with her 20 kills. Rosado earned another double-double with her 13 kills and 14 digs which led Florida Atlantic on the day. Ru earned nine blocks as FAU accumulated 13 in the match. As a team, Rice had a better hitting percentage at .185, as Florida Atlantic sat at a .160 hit%.
Florida Atlantic (19-12, 10-8 AAC) will face-off against the winner of No. 1 seed USF vs. No. 4 seed and tournament host Wichita State. The Owls are 1-1 against the Bulls, and lost to the Shockers earlier this season in five sets. The contest between Florida Atlantic and the winner between USF and Wichita State will be played on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1 pm.