SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Florida Southern College volleyball (5-0) continued its impressive run at the Rattler Invitational, rallying from a two-set deficit to defeat Fairmont State University (5-2) in a thrilling five-set match, winning 19-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-10, before securing a 3-1 victory over host St. Mary's University (2-4) later that day at Bill Greehey Arena.
In the match against Fairmont State, the first set began with freshmanÂ
Whitney Mall securing the initial point for Florida Southern with a kill, assisted by fellow freshman
Brielle Mullen. Despite this early contribution, Fairmont State quickly gained momentum, amassing a 7-3 lead, highlighted by consecutive kills from Josie Nobbe. Florida Southern responded with a dynamic stretch, including back-to-back kills from sophomore
Lindsay Piktel and two service aces from junior
Tori Borton, narrowing the deficit to 21-17. However, the Falcons clinched the set 25-19.
The second set saw Fairmont State edge out a 25-18 victory. Florida Southern kept the score close early on with contributions from sophomore
Bali Coles and Piktel, assisted by Mullen. Despite a strong effort from freshman
Chloe Moreland, the Mocs could not halt FSU's late surge, capped by McKenzi Martin's decisive plays.
In a determined comeback during the third set, Florida Southern overcame an early 5-0 deficit, with Coles serving an ace at 5-2 and key kills from Piktel and Coles bringing the score to 5-4. The team continued to rally, leveling at 12-12 thanks to a service ace by Word and clinching the set 25-23 with kills from Moreland and Coles.
The fourth set began with Fairmont State taking an early lead, but Florida Southern responded with a service ace from sophomore
Nako Sasaki and pivotal contributions from Word and Piktel, eventually winning 25-21.
In the decisive fifth set, the teams exchanged points until Florida Southern seized control with a 7-0 run, highlighted by defensive blocks from freshman
Layla Visser and Mall, culminating in a 15-10 victory.
Coles led with another huge double-double with 19 kills and 17 digs, leading the team in scoring with a total of 21 points. Piktel added 17 kills while Moreland and Word had 11 and 10, respectivily. Mullen facilitated the offense with 30 assists and anchored the defense with 22 digs while Borton had 29 assists and eight digs. Sasaki led the back line with 26 digs while adding seven assists.
For Fairmont State, Kelsie Dangerfield stood out with 20 digs, while Nobbe led with 17.5 points and 16 kills. Alexa Martin was a defensive force with eight total blocks and a .333 hitting percentage.
In their match against St. Mary's, Florida Southern surged ahead in the opening set, with Mall's kill setting the tone for a strong performance. A mid-set rally with contributions from Visser and Coles propelled the Mocs to a 15-7 lead, and Word's decisive kill sealed the set 25-21.
The second set began tightly contested, with Visser's kill assisting an early lead. Despite reaching a 26-26 tie, St. Mary's closed the set with a 28-26 win.
FSC rebounded in the third set, opening with a 3-0 start. Piktel and Mullen's assists led to a 25-21 victory for the Mocs, while in the fourth set, strategic plays and a series of errors from St. Mary's helped Florida Southern secure a 25-19 win, concluding the match.
Piktel led with 18 kills while Word added 11 kills and finished with 15 points, bolstered by her four blocks. Sasaki recorded 28 digs while the two setters, Borton and Mullen, showcased their versatility with a pair of double-doubles. Borton had 18 assists and 15 digs while Mullen chipped in 21 assists and 14 digs. Borton also found her mark at the service line with a team-best three aces.
Dallasstar Johnson was a key player for the Rattlers, leading with seven blocks, while Alyssa Koehl accumulated 23 digs. Laurene Robinson tied for the team lead in points for St. Mary's with 13.0.
Florida Southern will face its toughest opponent to date in #4 Central Oklahoma in the Moccasins' final match of the Rattler Invitational at the Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas, with the match set for Saturday, September 13, at 4:30 p.m. UCO has yet to drop a set this season and is 7-0.
